as in creature
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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as in physical
of or relating to the human body
had intellectual as well as animal needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of animal
Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Peters then stood up and shot the alligator repeatedly, and Morales joined in again and also shot the animal repeatedly, video posted on X shows.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Not quite plant, not quite animal; delicious and wild and rare.
—Callie Sumlin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for animal
Noun
Both animals are facing right and display wide eyes and a smile, Buc-ee's says in court documents.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Peters then stood up and shot the alligator repeatedly, and Morales joined in again and also shot the animal repeatedly, video posted on X shows.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Adjective
And much like the fictional sport’s real-world counterpart, in this all-animal cinematic universe, roarball is the ultimate culture-definer.
—Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Not quite plant, not quite animal; delicious and wild and rare.
—Callie Sumlin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for animal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animal
Noun
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While you may be tempted to blame other animals such as opossums or snakes, or even coyotes for making holes or burrows in your yard, these creatures are more likely to use existing animal holes for their dens.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
6 May 2026
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An eelpout is not a Minnesota expression of surprise but a nocturnal, eel-like creature, often the quarry of ice-fishers.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Those consumers have been increasingly seeking out solutions to ease the physical process, according to Circana.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
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In these kinds of experiments, participants are told to practice physical activities—finger tapping, coin tossing, dart throwing with a nondominant hand—within their dreams.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
Noun
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This twin-engine beast deserves your full attention.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
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In scenes where Yura remembers her childhood and its connection to the beast, the animation takes on a gauzier, more primitive style that matches the film’s more cosmic, oceanic themes.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Given who holds power in Washington, the key is to focus rhetoric less on the big vision of global sustainability than on the simple defense of personal bodily health, including especially the health of kids.—
Justin Zorn,
STAT,
28 Apr. 2026
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The prions are spread between animals through bodily fluids, including saliva, blood, urine and feces, and can occur through direct contact or indirectly through contamination of soil, food or water.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Animal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animal. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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