Illustration of muntjac
muntjac
noun
munt·jac
ˈmən(t)-ˌjak 
ˈmən-ˌchak
: any of a genus (Muntiacus) of small deer of southeastern Asia with an alarm call similar to the bark of a dog and having in the male elongated, downward-pointing upper canine teeth which protrude from the lip and short, usually unbranched, pointed antlers : barking deer
Would-be predators risk flesh-ripping tusks, or long canine teeth, which extend an inch or two from muntjacs' mouths.—
Noel Vietmeyer
Noel VietmeyerA muntjac or barking deer, was found in the Vu Quang Preserve in Nghe Tinh Province, Vietnam.—Tom Hilchey
Tom Hilchey
Examples of muntjac in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Explored via elevated walkways, the woodsy preserve shelters other endemic species like sambar deer, blue sheep, muntjac and golden pheasant.
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The magpie can be seen plucking at the muntjac's coat.
—Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
An unusual few seconds follow as the bird starts working on the muntjac's fur.
—Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
The zoo asked its followers for help identifying the creature, which the organization suggested could be a muntjac deer.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Many agreed that the animal was likely a muntjac deer that ended up looking strange on camera.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024
In the comments, people who had never heard of a muntjac deer noted how unique and otherworldly Biscuit's appearance is.
—Ariana Garcia, Chron, 13 Apr. 2023
More data on the sequences collected around the market would help pinpoint which animal or animals (or humans, for that matter) sparked the outbreak; for now, raccoon dogs, red foxes, badgers, porcupines, muntjac deer, and marmots seem the most likely mammals.
—Melody Schreiber, The New Republic, 9 Mar. 2022
Wildlife captively bred in Enshi before the pandemic included potential intermediate hosts such as palm civets, raccoon dogs, porcupines, wild boars, hedgehogs, rodents, ferret badgers, ocelots, muntjac deer and flying squirrels, official business registries show.
—Michael Standaert and Eva Dou, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Oct. 2021
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Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The magpie can be seen plucking at the muntjac's coat.
—Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
An unusual few seconds follow as the bird starts working on the muntjac's fur.
—Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
The zoo asked its followers for help identifying the creature, which the organization suggested could be a muntjac deer.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Many agreed that the animal was likely a muntjac deer that ended up looking strange on camera.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024
In the comments, people who had never heard of a muntjac deer noted how unique and otherworldly Biscuit's appearance is.
—Ariana Garcia, Chron, 13 Apr. 2023
More data on the sequences collected around the market would help pinpoint which animal or animals (or humans, for that matter) sparked the outbreak; for now, raccoon dogs, red foxes, badgers, porcupines, muntjac deer, and marmots seem the most likely mammals.
—Melody Schreiber, The New Republic, 9 Mar. 2022
Wildlife captively bred in Enshi before the pandemic included potential intermediate hosts such as palm civets, raccoon dogs, porcupines, wild boars, hedgehogs, rodents, ferret badgers, ocelots, muntjac deer and flying squirrels, official business registries show.
—Michael Standaert and Eva Dou, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Oct. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Muntjac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muntjac. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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