as in brute
having or showing the nature and appetites of a lower animal
with animalistic fury the boxer tore into his opponent
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Recent Examples of animalistic
The song’s almost animalistic sensuality is miles away from the safe choices Skye has made—or been asked to make—until now.
—
Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
There are nods to Linda Blair’s Regan in the sludgy projectile vomit that pours out of Katie, as well as the animalistic scampering, bodily contortions and levitation.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Buc-ee's is arguing that the animalistic logo is too similar to the buck-toothed beaver donning a red baseball cap inside of a bright yellow circle.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Buc-ee's argues, in court documents, that the animalistic logo is too similar to its own – a toothy beaver wearing a red ballcap inside a bright yellow circle.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
The characters live in a world of mud, rain, wind, and animalistic yearning, reflecting the bugs and birds and rabbits and dogs and livestock that surround them.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Bergholm employs some very effective sound design here, giving just a hint of animalistic growling to the kid’s lusty cries.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Venezuelan tonka bean absolute gets an edgier twist with palo santo and musk, while coconut powder balances the earthy and animalistic notes with a subtly fresh sweetness.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2026
One quality that distinguishes the very best chess players is killer instinct, an almost animalistic will to win.
—Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
There are nods to Linda Blair’s Regan in the sludgy projectile vomit that pours out of Katie, as well as the animalistic scampering, bodily contortions and levitation.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Buc-ee's is arguing that the animalistic logo is too similar to the buck-toothed beaver donning a red baseball cap inside of a bright yellow circle.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
Buc-ee's argues, in court documents, that the animalistic logo is too similar to its own – a toothy beaver wearing a red ballcap inside a bright yellow circle.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
The characters live in a world of mud, rain, wind, and animalistic yearning, reflecting the bugs and birds and rabbits and dogs and livestock that surround them.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Bergholm employs some very effective sound design here, giving just a hint of animalistic growling to the kid’s lusty cries.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Venezuelan tonka bean absolute gets an edgier twist with palo santo and musk, while coconut powder balances the earthy and animalistic notes with a subtly fresh sweetness.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2026
One quality that distinguishes the very best chess players is killer instinct, an almost animalistic will to win.
—Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animalistic
Adjective
-
This is an economy that runs on the assumption of potential—on the idea that tech founders will, through brute force, innovate their way into market domination and produce limitless riches.—
Theo Baker,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
-
That asymmetry suggests sophisticated and adaptable behavior, not just brute strength.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Derrick White, who endured his third straight brutal shooting game (3-for-12; 1-for-8 from three), set up Tatum’s dagger with one of his two fourth-quarter offensive rebounds.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The right-hander, who signed a two-year, $22 million deal with a club option for 2028 in the offseason, has had a brutal start to his tenure with San Francisco (11-15).—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As Columbia, Rodriguez takes big, bold swings, shifting from manic exuberance to bruised vulnerability to feral anger over the course of the night.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
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The ordinance would create a city-run TNR program under which feral cats can be humanely trapped and surgically sterilized, then vaccinated and ear-tagged before being released back into the community.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Where Gilgamesh is civilized, Enkidu is bestial, tamed only by the temple courtesan Shamhat via six days and seven nights of lovemaking.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
What do digital animals, these bestial avatars, make possible?—
Cynthia Chris,
The Conversation,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Animalistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animalistic. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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