1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word carnal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of carnal are animal, fleshly, and sensual. While all these words mean "having a relation to the body," carnal may mean only this but more often connotes derogatorily an action or manifestation of a person's lower nature.

a slave to carnal desires

When can animal be used instead of carnal?

While the synonyms animal and carnal are close in meaning, animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.

led a mindless animal existence

How do fleshly and carnal relate to one another?

Fleshly is less derogatory than carnal.

a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

When is it sensible to use sensual instead of carnal?

While in some cases nearly identical to carnal, sensual may apply to any gratification of a bodily desire or pleasure but commonly implies sexual appetite with absence of the spiritual or intellectual.

fleshpots providing sensual delights

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of carnal But the texting and blocking, the free-for-all backwaters of the internet and the carnal shenanigans that color contemporary TV teendom do put a different complexion on growing up. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 Miranda, specifically, is in the middle of a three-month break from carnal knowledge. Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Modern filmmaking gets no better than Hernández’s balance of carnal and mundane conduct — Marco and Orlando’s physical yearning matches their career ambitions. Armond White, National Review, 25 Apr. 2025 Translating carnal attraction, magnetism, and deepening desire, Ropion says the fragrance is ripe with a flower that refuses to go unnoticed: tuberose. Essence, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for carnal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carnal
Adjective
  • The pair’s fight is fueled by the mundane (a busted dinner party) and the profound (Mark’s addiction, Dawn’s codependence, the constant pressure of professional fighting).
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Between food prep and costume store runs, the magic of Halloween can quickly become mundane.
    Parents Editors, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In the cold and austere German winter (a far cry from Dakar’s physical and cultural warmth), an anxious Nourou acts up outside a hotel and is accosted by a Polish security guard, setting off a minor chain reaction in which Maja intervenes on his behalf, much to his chagrin.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Cottrell is facing one count of murder and one count of tampering with physical evidence.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Bieber’s iteration on the trend elevated the style to a cheeky, high-fashion moment with feminine touches and sensual edge.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • For the sensual and aesthetically-inclined Libras, Atlas says a hobby like candle making is a match made in heaven.
    Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Spectral imaging geolocation hyper-temporal sensor A centerpiece of the IIIF system is a new instrument called the Spectral Imaging Geolocation Hyper-Temporal Sensor, or SIGHTS, which traces its roots to basic research at Sandia more than a decade ago.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Between June and September 2023, Dale had a deep plane neck and facelift, forehead lift, blepharoplasty (upper and lower), fat transfer to the face, temporal lift and a chemical peel.
    Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Her erotica revels in bodily fluids.
    Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The suspect, 27-year-old Saul Montanez, faces charges of collision involving death and serious bodily injury, according to jail records.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But beyond its sheer existence, as a large terrestrial bird with a limited capacity for flight, the Menura fits into a rare category of birds like ostriches and penguins that stay grounded rather than taking off into the skies.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
  • In the longer term, the best way to properly confirm these findings would be to return samples for analysis in terrestrial laboratories.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2022, the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 paved the way for alternatives to animal testing, and in December 2023, an NIH advisory committee made similar recommendations to develop non-animal methods.
    Rachel Fobar, Vox, 14 May 2025
  • Rendering is a process that transforms animal by-products, like leftover meat and fats...and yes, chicken feet, into usable materials, such as animal feed, fuel, and other industrial products.
    Phil Kafarakis, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • This means the earthly remains of the beloved saint will bring thousands of visitors to honor the saint's life of virtue and ask for her prayers.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Scholars intuited a link between the celestial and earthly multitudes.
    Greg Grandin September 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carnal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carnal. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on carnal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!