as in humanoid
resembling a human in shape or form
They were on the lookout for the famed Sasquatch, a tall anthropoid creature some thought lived deep in these forests.
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as in ape
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Recent Examples of anthropoid
Heather Schroering, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Aug. 2025
By never breaking the anthropoid conceit — keeping Williams a chimp from working-class childhood obscurity to adult pop-stardom — Better Man evolves into the most honest and exploratory showbiz movie ever made.
—Armond White, National Review, 10 Jan. 2025
The Chinese, conversely, have been convinced forc enturies that the entire rest of the world is inhabited by an alien species of lower anthropoid.
—Jean Shepherd, Car and Driver, 18 Dec. 2022
Solo’s first mate on the Millennium Falcon, Chewbacca, a 7-foot monkey-face anthropoid has his own following.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2021
But thanks to a meager fossil record, the question of where this first anthropoid was born has remained open.
—Rachel Preiser, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
This 65-67 million-year-old relic looked down from on high on the anthropoids enjoying their time of evolutionary flourishing.
—Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, 18 June 2017
Because the fossil indicates that the tarsier and anthropoid primate groups split before that era, the anthropoid lineage is also at least that old, says Beard.
—Sid Perkins, Scientific American, 5 June 2013
Since humans are apes, and apes are anthropoid primates, the last common ancestor of all anthropoids would be one of our distant primate ancestors.
—Brian Switek, WIRED, 1 July 2009
Noun
That the officiant would be a giant anthropoid jar of mayo named Manny Mayo was actually too good to be true.
—Heather Schroering, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Aug. 2025
By never breaking the anthropoid conceit — keeping Williams a chimp from working-class childhood obscurity to adult pop-stardom — Better Man evolves into the most honest and exploratory showbiz movie ever made.
—Armond White, National Review, 10 Jan. 2025
The Chinese, conversely, have been convinced forc enturies that the entire rest of the world is inhabited by an alien species of lower anthropoid.
—Jean Shepherd, Car and Driver, 18 Dec. 2022
Solo’s first mate on the Millennium Falcon, Chewbacca, a 7-foot monkey-face anthropoid has his own following.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2021
But thanks to a meager fossil record, the question of where this first anthropoid was born has remained open.
—Rachel Preiser, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
This 65-67 million-year-old relic looked down from on high on the anthropoids enjoying their time of evolutionary flourishing.
—Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, 18 June 2017
Because the fossil indicates that the tarsier and anthropoid primate groups split before that era, the anthropoid lineage is also at least that old, says Beard.
—Sid Perkins, Scientific American, 5 June 2013
Since humans are apes, and apes are anthropoid primates, the last common ancestor of all anthropoids would be one of our distant primate ancestors.
—Brian Switek, WIRED, 1 July 2009
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anthropoid
Adjective
-
While human surgeons take years to gain the experience and skills necessary to operate, humanoid robots like Tesla’s Optimus could potentially do a better job—without the risk of human error.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
While still early, the update points to a future where humanoid robots learn less like machines and more like people.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Yet Ben, as a slasher, represents a minor triumph of practical effects (he’s played by Miguel Torres Umba in an ape suit).—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
-
While our ape ancestors might well have been consuming naturally fermented alcohol for millions of years, only humans, with our powers of logical inference, have been able to refine the process.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Steering wheels, pedals, and dashboards designed for constant human control can limit comfort and flexibility when the vehicle is driving itself.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The right response is not to walk away from generative AI, but to combine it with deterministic tools, human oversight, and serious training.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For much of his career, Skarsgård has gravitated toward characters who weaponize physical presence — Vikings, tech titans and mythic brutes whose power is immediately legible.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
-
As usual, Lang plays the brute’s Heart of Darkness–esque descent into madness with gleeful relish.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Because clients could bring along bed bugs or lice from previous living arrangements, everything coming into the shelter — including outside donations — will be treated in the chamber upon arrival, Tripple said.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
19 Nov. 2025
-
No, the convolution of the weaving story and a principal character who is such a louse can be grating.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Sex and the City villain seemed unsupportive of his longtime co-star and love interest, Sarah Jessica Parker, being honored with a Carol Burnett lifetime-achievement award at the Golden Eve last week.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
14 Jan. 2026
-
While the Infinity Saga revolved around Thanos (Josh Brolin) as the main villain, the Multiverse Saga will debut Doctor Doom as the big bad in the upcoming film.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Visitors can also view and touch snakes displayed by the San Diego Herpetological Society, take photos inside a replica eagle nest in the art barn and visit informational booths from local wildlife organizations.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The defining feature of this region, however, is the Mwagusi Sand River, a seasonally dry riverbed that snakes through the park.—
Nicholas DeRenzo,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Tracy Letts is one such person, but his Chicago anecdote paints Colbert as a cad.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Facing pressure to sire a child, Jerome tosses a crude wager the way of his dashing but dim-witted Lothario-like chum Manfred (Nicholas Galitzine) – a bet that the handsome cad won’t be able to woo Cherry and bed her while he’s gone for 100 nights.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anthropoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anthropoid. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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