ANIMALISM Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

animalism

noun

ˈa-nə-mə-ˌli-zəm

Definition of animalism

as in brutality

the manifestation of the traits or the gratification of the appetites of a lower animal without law and order, society would quickly devolve into a state of animalism

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of animalism Hope is something that Dior’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri can related to, having explored the dualities of hope and despair (as well as lightness and darkness, and fluidity and animalism) in her spring 2023 collection. — Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 22 Jan. 2025 But what Cameron represents to Harper is unfettered animalism, and that’s part of what’s missing in her relationship with Ethan. — Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for animalism

Noun

Notable releases include a novel about police brutality, the return of Barbara Kingsolver, 1980s fiction and a deep dive into the very real specter of artificial intelligence.

— Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 8 Oct. 2026
The government suspended the use of stun grenades after a 15-year-old boy's hand was blown off earlier in the week, fueling accusations of police brutality.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of brutality

Noun

In other words, humans can act against the animal component of their nature and manifest their humanity by rejecting their animality.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Nov. 2025
This strangeness causes all sorts of internal agitation, an uneasiness about humanity’s closeness to animality.

— Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025

Definition of animality

Noun

Ted Gualtier, owner of Happy Tail Happy Dog, LLC, has been charged by Denver authorities with one count of cruelty to animals.

— Brian Maass, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Many abolitionists and Quakers – who fought to ban slavery – initially supported the colonization society’s removal efforts as a means for helping Black residents escape the cruelty of American laws, especially the Fugitive Slave Acts.

— Karen Masterson, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026