animal rights

plural noun

: rights (as to fair and humane treatment) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all animals
animal rightist noun

Examples of animal rights in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In her later years, she became known as an outspoken activist for animal rights and for voicing strong, controversial opinions — such as denouncing the #MeToo movement in 2018. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025 Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic who has promoted unfounded theories claiming vaccines cause autism, could also tap into what might be called the canine-vaccine-hesitant demographic − where support for animal rights and anti-vaccine sentiment meet. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025 In the half-century that followed, Bardot dedicated herself to animal rights through her Brigette Bardot Foundation. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025 Since retiring from acting, Bardot's focus has become animal rights. Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for animal rights

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of animal rights was in 1845

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Cite this Entry

“Animal rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animal%20rights. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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