Synonyms of carnal

carnal

adjective

ˈkär-nᵊl 

1

as in mundane

having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven

the preacher warned that those who were interested only in carnal pursuits would not see the kingdom of heaven

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mundane
• temporal
• physical
• terrestrial
• animal
• earthly
• bodily
• worldly
• fleshly
• sublunary
• earthbound
• corporeal
• daily
• corporal
• material
• terrene
• earthborn
• diurnal
• unspiritual
• anthropocentric
• anthropic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• heavenly
• celestial
• unearthly
• spiritual
• metaphysical
• religious
• divine
• supernal
• unworldly
• sacred
• devotional
• nontemporal
• utopian
• transcendental
• supernatural
• transcendent
• empyreal
• empyrean
• ethereal
• Elysian
• extraterrestrial
• otherworldly
• unearthly

2

as in physical

of or relating to the human body

a missionary who tends to the carnal needs of the people as well as to their spiritual concerns

Synonyms & Similar Words

• physical
• bodily
• corporeal
• animal
• somatic
• physiological
• corporal
• sensual
• anatomic
• fleshly
• material
• sensuous
• hand-to-hand

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• psychological
• mental
• intellectual
• inner
• spiritual
• cerebral
• nonphysical
• nonmaterial
• immaterial
• metaphysical
• psychic
• incorporeal
• ethereal
• insubstantial
• bodiless

3

as in sensual

pleasing to the physical senses

carnal attractions of that gambling mecca in the desert

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sensual
• sensuous
• delicious
• pleasant
• voluptuous
• fleshly
• lush
• delightful
• luxurious
• bodily
• luscious
• corporeal
• pleasing
• pleasurable
• delectable
• dreamy
• gratifying
• agreeable
• scrumptious
• palatable
• epicurean
• self-indulgent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• painful
• uncomfortable
• harsh
• disgusting
• hideous
• foul
• icky

Synonym Chooser

How is the word carnal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of carnal are animal, fleshly, and sensual. While all these words mean "having a relation to the body," carnal may mean only this but more often connotes derogatorily an action or manifestation of a person's lower nature.

a slave to carnal desires

When can animal be used instead of carnal?

While the synonyms animal and carnal are close in meaning, animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.

led a mindless animal existence

How do fleshly and carnal relate to one another?

Fleshly is less derogatory than carnal.

a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

When is it sensible to use sensual instead of carnal?

While in some cases nearly identical to carnal, sensual may apply to any gratification of a bodily desire or pleasure but commonly implies sexual appetite with absence of the spiritual or intellectual.

fleshpots providing sensual delights

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of carnal

Wasserman was long presumed to be an mere philanthropic acquaintance of the vile and very well connected Epstein (who died in mysterious circumstances in a NYC jail in 2019), the massive document dump by Donald Trump‘s DOJ in late January revealed a carnal 2003 correspondence with Maxwell. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026

In a similar vein, Byredo’s Animalique exudes an equally alluring vibe that’s slightly funkier and more carnal. —Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026

The average viewer imagines all sort of carnal activities happening, titillated by what might appear onscreen once the visuals kick in. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026

Wuthering Heights, the writer-director Emerald Fennell’s new adaptation of Emily Brontë’s groundbreaking Gothic novel, is her best film to date—a heaving, rip-snortingly carnal good time at the cinema. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026