ANIMALISM Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

animalism

noun

ˈa-nə-mə-ˌli-zəm

Definition of animalism

as in brutality

the manifestation of the traits or the gratification of the appetites of a lower animal without law and order, society would quickly devolve into a state of animalism

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of animalism Hope is something that Dior’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri can related to, having explored the dualities of hope and despair (as well as lightness and darkness, and fluidity and animalism) in her spring 2023 collection. — Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 22 Jan. 2025 But what Cameron represents to Harper is unfettered animalism, and that’s part of what’s missing in her relationship with Ethan. — Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for animalism

Noun

However, only Atef Najib, Assad’s cousin, a security chief infamous for his brutality, is likely to face execution, the rest having been tried in absentia.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
If Wayne, a fictional character, were a more solid creation, the movie could better explore the issue of whether answering racist brutality in kind is more effective than relying on an inadequate system.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of brutality

Noun

In other words, humans can act against the animal component of their nature and manifest their humanity by rejecting their animality.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Nov. 2025
This strangeness causes all sorts of internal agitation, an uneasiness about humanity’s closeness to animality.

— Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025

Definition of animality

Noun

The doc is similarly unflinching in showing the horrific scene from 1900 in which Donald Sutherland’s sadistic fascist murders a young boy in a shockingly callous way, while Laura Betti as his equal in cruelty dissolves into blood-curdling cackles.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Shooting a wild animal with a pellet gun and causing needless suffering is also within the scope of a felony animal cruelty charge.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026