monkey 1 of 2

noun

ˈməŋ-kē How to pronounce monkey (audio)
Definition of monkeynext
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

monkey

2 of 2

verb

as in to ape

Related Words

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 monkey
Noun
Officials said nearly 100 monkeys broke through part of an enclosure at the Lopburi Municipality Animal Nursery. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 Some data suggest that, at least in captivity, more than a third of squirrel-monkey babies may die, Lia Betti, an anthropologist at University College London and one of the study’s authors, told me. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 29 June 2026
Verb
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. — Valerie Demicheva and Flora Chang, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 July 2021 But this experiment isn't about monkeying around—this a real security and safety hazard, the researchers point out in a new paper. — Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 31 Jan. 2020 See All Example Sentences for monkey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monkey
  1. addiction
  2. devil
  3. ape
  4. dependence
  5. rascal
  6. parody
  7. brat
  8. mimic
Noun
  • The liver-transplant reports renewed speculation about addiction because the most common reason people suffer serious liver dysfunction and need a new liver is cirrhosis, according to the American Liver Foundation.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
  • Bartee and Williams never got to have a heart-to-heart with him about his struggle with addiction, and Manigan died in 2022 at the age of 55.
    — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of addiction
Noun
  • Common examples include dumb cane, calla lily, pothos or devil’s ivy, peace lily, Chinese evergreen, elephant ear, ZZ plant, philodendron, Swiss cheese plant and flamingo plant.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • On the finish, notes of warming oak with tannins to spare, devil’s food cake, root beer, demerara syrup, black cherry, vanilla, espresso grounds and clove.
    — Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of devil
Verb
  • Critics and fanboy media thrashed Supergirl not just for its Guardians of the Galaxy touchstones, but also for aping Mad Max.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • The track apes the softly anthemic approach of U2, Coldplay, and the National—until all of that elegant uplift topples like an overly ambitious wedding cake.
    — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
Definition of ape
Noun
  • This move completes Meta's ad automation, offering advertisers free creative variations and deepening platform dependence.
    — Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Reducing China dependence Both companies see permanent magnets as a strategic technology for future industrial growth.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Definition of dependence
Noun
  • Even though the Feeneys have gotten more competitive under the junior Michel’s management, the rascal-on-the-field ethos of the original team still prevails.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Not even the curmudgeonly Melvin can bring himself to harm the little rascal.
    — Camille Perri, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Definition of rascal
Verb
  • If there’s a cringe video of bridesmaids getting a little too close to a groom, Madison Humphrey has probably parodied it.
    — Leslie Horn Peterson, Time, 14 July 2026
  • Endlessly mocked, constantly parodied, and vaguely resented, the mandarins in American civic life have no real allies or admirers.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • The sleeveless body-skimming dress features a transparent mesh finish that left little to the imagination, totally transforming an otherwise classic LBD into something far more provocative (and brat-like).
    — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 25 June 2026
  • His menu includes more than two dozen food options, including the Southwest egg rolls ($11), quesadillas ($14), black and blue burger ($14), beer brat ($12), and fish and chips ($14).
    — Jenna Thompson June 18, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
Definition of brat
Verb
  • Each design was simulated spinning mid-flight and overlaid on 100 real-world backgrounds, then scored by a perceptual model built to mimic human vision, where a lower score meant better camouflage.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 July 2026
  • His performance has been mimicked so many times in the quarter-century since this unforgettable film was released.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Definition of mimic

Phrases Containing monkey

Browse Nearby Words

monk
monkey
monkey (around)
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Cite this Entry

“Monkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkey. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on monkey

Nglish: Translation of monkey for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monkey

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