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

Relevance

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 This is also birthing season, meaning lots of baby animals! Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026 Set amidst the farms, animals, shepherds, mills and artisans that are shaping New York state’s wool industry, the film highlights the trajectory of clothing from sheep to a finished garment. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 2 June 2026 Biodiversity is becoming a food security issue Many heritage grains and livestock breeds are being preserved precisely because experts worry about overreliance on a narrow set of crops and animals. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026 What heritage sourcing means Heritage sourcing refers to food grown or raised from older, often pre-industrial varieties of plants and animals. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026 Outbreaks of diseases from animals are becoming more common. Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 2 June 2026 Pet Portraits Are In Greater Demand Cy Hundley has been drawing and painting animals professionally for 35 years. R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 Over the last four days, more than 110 people and 20 small animals have stayed overnight. Rina Nakano, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animals
Noun
  • Homeownership feels increasingly out of reach for many Americans, but not for this group of creatures, which slithered into an uninhabited home in Arkansas, much to the chagrin of the realtor trying to sell it.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 5 June 2026
  • Aliens galore Eternia is home to more creatures than just He-Man and Skeletor.
    Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 5 June 2026
Noun
  • The beasts’ finale was a spectacular ending to a worthy show.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
  • But Lisius saw something different in those growing beasts — the beginnings of a tornado.
    Emily Holshouser May 19, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026

Cite this Entry

“Animals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animals. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on animals

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster