animals

Definition of animalsnext
plural of animal
as in creatures
one of the lower animals as distinguished from human beings we saw a lot of animals at the wildlife refuge—cranes, alligators, deer, a fox, even an armadillo

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 animals The only animals Cook’s crew saw apart from wild birds were rats and chickens, both eaten. Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026 No one was injured, but two animals died early Tuesday from a fire in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026 Anna Russell investigates » More Top Stories The activist Wayne Hsiung has gone to court and done time in jail to improve the lives of animals. Michael Luo, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026 Under Canadian federal law, export permits can only be issued if a transfer is in the animals' best interests and would require medical assessments of every whale and dolphin. Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026 Alvarado said that means animals must have shelter with no leaks that insulate from inclement weather. Tracey McManus, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026 Bringing the living shoreline to life on campus would be a win not just for the animals and plants that would call it home, Mariani said, but the students who’d have a whole new hands-on classroom right in their backyard. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026 When people are spoken of as animals or garbage, their humanity becomes negotiable. Bernard Cherkasov, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026 Safely dispose of the product to prevent consumption by humans or animals, particularly if the product has been opened. Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animals
Noun
  • Turns out jellyfish and sea anemones – among the ancient creatures with a nervous system instead of a brain – have a very similar sleeping routine to our own.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Given the scope of the story and the creatures involved, Gans said the adaptation was a tall task, especially given that some audiences might not know the game’s lore.
    William Earl, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Under the chandelier lights, actors dressed as Joan of Arc, pirates, and mythical beasts waltz over a celestial floor and crack jokes between takes.
    Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 19 Jan. 2026
  • Alexander brings her to the governor of Antioch, who condemns her to face the beasts in the arena.
    Christy Cobb, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Animals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animals. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

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