1
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs
I've got this monkey on my back, and going to detox is the only way to get it off
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in devil
an appealingly mischievous person
come back here, you little monkey!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of monkey
Michael Haag, Dallas News, 10 Oct. 2022
With supply running low toward the end of most evenings, savvy bun fanatics don’t monkey around, routinely calling ahead to request an extra skillet of rolls set aside just for them. Ettan.
—Valerie Demicheva and Flora Chang, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 July 2021
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025
Intel saga The monkey-wrench, as usual, is the president.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monkey
Noun
The Bears will be prepared for the environment, but getting that Morgantown monkey off their back will take a lot more than imagined.
—Michael Haag, Dallas News, 10 Oct. 2022
With supply running low toward the end of most evenings, savvy bun fanatics don’t monkey around, routinely calling ahead to request an extra skillet of rolls set aside just for them. Ettan.
—Valerie Demicheva and Flora Chang, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 July 2021
Verb
In this Oz, the flying monkeys actually take flight.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025
Intel saga The monkey-wrench, as usual, is the president.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monkey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monkey
Noun
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And Sheen does find the words to tell more harrowing stories of addiction and excess that defined his Hollywood spiral.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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If his dad is his guardian angel, looks like Dexter now has a devil on his shoulder, too.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
5 Sep. 2025
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The term Jab Jab itself comes from the French term for devil.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And then third, Nixon, who had lost to Kennedy in the 1960 election, by the early 1970s, as president, was not about to ape and imitate the man who had bested him.—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Newsom aping Donald Trump’s syntax on social media, and setting up a special election to zap five Republicans out of their House seats.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The former child actors have grown up since their go-kart derby days on-screen — some have even welcomed their own little rascals off-screen.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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Something tells me those wary rascals spotted us and gave us the slip.—
Percy Brown,
Outdoor Life,
12 June 2025
Verb
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That has included Newsom ramping up his social media presence, frequently parodying Trump with the all-caps statements that the president uses, as well as launching a merchandise shop that features many of the slogans Trump has on his signature hats, only with Newsom’s name swapped in.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
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Michaels confirmed that one cast member won't be going anywhere: James Austin Johnson will continue parodying President Trump.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The advisory, issued on August 20 by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), urged agencies to scan chargers, roadside weather stations, and traffic cameras for rogue radios or other components embedded in inverters and batteries.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
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That included everything from a sniper-like rogue to a warlock who serves Death itself.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, many products are marketed to mimic popular snacks and candies, leading to accidental ingestion by consumers and children.—
A.J. Herrington,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Rather, the bots are skilled at mimicking human reactions to stressful situations, responding to users in ways that often reflect racist and sexist biases.—
Patricia Marx,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Expect items such as a beer brat, giant Bavarian pretzel, Horace’s Nashville Hot Chicken Wings and more, plus wine by the glass.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
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And as a military brat whose family moved around, he was often forced to reset and make new friends.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Monkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkey. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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