as in panthers
a large tawny cat of the wild
the problems created by mountain lions coming into contact with humans in suburban developments
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Recent Examples of mountain lions
People are urged not to approach mountain lions, to back away slowly and to keep children and pets close by.
—
Tim Fang, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
California lawmakers on Tuesday took initial steps toward addressing the public safety concerns posed by the state’s growing populations of wolves, mountain lions and other predators — issues the state’s top environmental official called a crisis.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends the mountain lions (Puma concolor couguar) in certain regions should be classified as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Jan. 2026
Wildlife officials across the West often trap and relocate large predators like wolves, mountain lions, and bears that are in close proximity to livestock instead of killing them.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 28 Jan. 2026
Cougars, mountain lions, panthers and pumas are the same cat species — puma concolor, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance website.
—Olga R. Rodriguez, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Authorities emphasized that sightings like this, while rare, can occur as young mountain lions search for territory — and stressed that the situation remains under close monitoring.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Tim Fang, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
California lawmakers on Tuesday took initial steps toward addressing the public safety concerns posed by the state’s growing populations of wolves, mountain lions and other predators — issues the state’s top environmental official called a crisis.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends the mountain lions (Puma concolor couguar) in certain regions should be classified as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Jan. 2026
Wildlife officials across the West often trap and relocate large predators like wolves, mountain lions, and bears that are in close proximity to livestock instead of killing them.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 28 Jan. 2026
Cougars, mountain lions, panthers and pumas are the same cat species — puma concolor, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance website.
—Olga R. Rodriguez, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Authorities emphasized that sightings like this, while rare, can occur as young mountain lions search for territory — and stressed that the situation remains under close monitoring.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mountain lions
Noun
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Footage of the incident shows the mountain lion — the species also known as a cougar, puma or panther — lurking in some brush at the Orange County park, peeking its face tentatively from a spot behind some leaves.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
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Ten minutes before kickoff on the first Friday in October, the giant inflatable tunnel sags and the giant inflatable panther perched atop it is just about snout-to-turf.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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About 67 cougars are living in the Santa Monica Mountains near Los Angeles, the DFW report estimates.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Travelers can easily spend the entire day exploring these captivating caverns, admiring the mystical stalagmites and stalactites and looking out for wildlife like bats and cougars.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mountain lions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mountain%20lions. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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