Homo sapiens

noun

ˌhō-(ˌ)mō-ˈsā-pē-ˌenz How to pronounce Homo sapiens (audio)
Definition of Homo sapiensnext
as in mankind
the human race how far into the outer reaches of the universe will Homo sapiens someday be able to go?

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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 Homo sapiens As the Neanderthals gradually disappeared around 40,000 years ago—partly due to competition with our own species—Homo sapiens began taking shelter-building in new directions. — Literary Hub, 1 May 2026 Yunxian 2 provides a clearer example of an earlier lineage, suggesting that several major human lineages—Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and sister species like Homo longi—may have co-existed for hundreds of thousands of years, interacting and potentially interbreeding. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025 Homo sapiens are highly socialized animals prone to cooperate when necessary. — Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Homo sapiens
  1. mankind
  2. humanity
  3. human
Noun
  • Every technology developed by mankind has been double-edged, and AI is no different.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That experience prompted me to investigate further how mankind knows truth.
    — Suzanne Riedel, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026
Definition of mankind
Noun
  • The first tool for humanity that was forged by Tools for Humanity, in 2019, was a cryptocurrency called Worldcoin.
    — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • For the first time in the history of humanity, Shiva the Adiyogi introduced the idea that the simple laws of nature are not permanent restrictions.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of humanity
Noun
  • Solomon thinks the fact that there are now more bots than humans online was always inevitable.
    — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Domoic acid can accumulate in shellfish and cause nausea, diarrhea and illness in humans when consumed at low levels.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of human

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Homo sapiens
hon
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Cite this Entry

“Homo sapiens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Homo%20sapiens. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on Homo sapiens

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Homo sapiens

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