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
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Recent Examples of animals
These activities engage animals both mentally and physically, providing stimulation that encourages natural behaviors and supports overall animal welfare.
—
Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 3 Feb. 2026
According to the village website, garbage spilling out of dumpsters, not picking up pet waste, spilling birdseed from bird feeders, open compost bins, throwing food on the ground for birds, cats and other animals, and dumpsters and garbage containers in disrepair can be food sources for rats.
—Jessi Virtusio, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Several types of animals are raised at the farm including sheep, cattle, turkeys, hogs, and miniature donkeys.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
The babies viewed images from a dozen categories commonly seen in the first year of life, such as trees and animals.
—Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The little animals that will come to be emblematic of the 2026 Games are stoats, extremely cute critters that in real life are related to the weasel and the otter.
—Mark Scaglione, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
Because of the silence, the Californian and her pack don’t scare away the plethora of wildlife on the trail, many animals which most people could only hope to see.
—Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
The only animals Cook’s crew saw apart from wild birds were rats and chickens, both eaten.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Anna Russell investigates » More Top Stories The activist Wayne Hsiung has gone to court and done time in jail to improve the lives of animals.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 3 Feb. 2026
According to the village website, garbage spilling out of dumpsters, not picking up pet waste, spilling birdseed from bird feeders, open compost bins, throwing food on the ground for birds, cats and other animals, and dumpsters and garbage containers in disrepair can be food sources for rats.
—Jessi Virtusio, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Several types of animals are raised at the farm including sheep, cattle, turkeys, hogs, and miniature donkeys.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
The babies viewed images from a dozen categories commonly seen in the first year of life, such as trees and animals.
—Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The little animals that will come to be emblematic of the 2026 Games are stoats, extremely cute critters that in real life are related to the weasel and the otter.
—Mark Scaglione, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
Because of the silence, the Californian and her pack don’t scare away the plethora of wildlife on the trail, many animals which most people could only hope to see.
—Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
The only animals Cook’s crew saw apart from wild birds were rats and chickens, both eaten.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Anna Russell investigates » More Top Stories The activist Wayne Hsiung has gone to court and done time in jail to improve the lives of animals.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animals
Noun
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So, the high proportion of carbon spewed into the atmosphere along volcanic arcs in the past 120 million years is mostly due to the carbon-rich sediments these creatures created.—
Ben Mather,
Space.com,
7 Feb. 2026
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However, state lawmakers are seeking to ban the taking of the rare ocean creatures altogether.—
News Service Of Florida,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Under the chandelier lights, actors dressed as Joan of Arc, pirates, and mythical beasts waltz over a celestial floor and crack jokes between takes.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
19 Jan. 2026
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Alexander brings her to the governor of Antioch, who condemns her to face the beasts in the arena.—
Christy Cobb,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Animals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animals. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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