Definition of carnalnext
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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

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 carnal Christie Oster, the 38-year-old Broussard Middle School Teacher of the Year, was previously arrested by the Lafayette Police Department on charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with juveniles. Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026 Otherwise, her relation with John is carnal, her reactions brutal. John Hopewell, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026 On September 16, Leeann Yammarino, 44, pleaded no contest to two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025 But on the carnal front, at least, the musical is made of softer stuff. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for carnal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carnal
Adjective
  • Take a break from mundane tasks and escape into your own world, where you will not be bothered.
    Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Wesley is a comedian, podcaster, and writer known for her unique ability to explore the intersection of the macabre and the mundane.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Due to its technical depth and flexibility across reactor types, the system captures physical changes such as density shifts, material aging, dimensional changes, and isotopic or chemical variations.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Quality sleep is essential to physical health, mental clarity, and daily performance—yet the mattress, the foundation of good sleep, is often overlooked.
    Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • His work appeared in Elle, Vogue, GQ, Esquire, Maxim, and Sports Illustrated, helping define the era’s sensual, off-duty aesthetic.
    Tara Palmeri, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The dry down is even better than the initial spritz, turning into a warm, sensual, floral bouquet sitting next to a bowl of fresh cut strawberries.
    Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • When choosing trees for year-long interest, consider both long-term and temporal sources of color and texture, and think about how these combine with other elements.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
  • The linocut medium itself performs this temporal multiplicity.
    Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • That means Waymo will be required to file reports to the PUC detailing any crashes involving bodily injury and more than $5,000 in property damage within 30 days, Castle said.
    Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
  • What Magnesium Does in the Body Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in over 300 different bodily reactions.
    Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • And finally, externally, impacts from objects passing through our inner Solar System could wipe all of humanity out, just as so much terrestrial life was eradicated 65 million years ago.
    Big Think, Big Think, 4 Mar. 2026
  • The natural glass is known as a tektite, which occurs after terrestrial rocks are melted when meteorites, comets, or asteroids slam into the surface of our planet, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
    Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • When Hamnet dies, Agnes lets out a sound of pure grief and rage and horror that is almost animal.
    Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
  • And much like the fictional sport’s real-world counterpart, in this all-animal cinematic universe, roarball is the ultimate culture-definer.
    Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But a battlefield promotion to Ayatollah was arranged, blending faith with politics in an exercise that critics said sullied both even before Khamenei reinforced his position by earthly means, elevating the IRGC.
    Karl Vick, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
  • The monkey and the lion have become Chinese emperors, Buddha’s earthly servants.
    Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Carnal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carnal. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

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