as in dogs
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
the actor plays a total reptile who's somehow still a hit with the ladies
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Recent Examples of reptiles
That’s what guests can expect as the attraction’s monkeys, reptiles and birds get the run of the 30-acre grounds.
—
Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The agency said rising water levels in rivers, gullies and swamps may push the reptiles into residential areas in search of dry ground.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
The slender, needle-sharp teeth allowed these ancient reptiles to capture slippery prey like fish and turtles.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
The species also has functional and morphological similarities to some modern squamates, the largest order of reptiles that contains lizards and snakes.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2025
Its hooves are an example of a phenomenon called convergent evolution in which disparate organisms independently evolve similar features — like the wings of birds, bats and the extinct flying reptiles called pterosaurs — while adapting to similar environments or ecological niches.
—Reuters, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
For those brave scientists who study snakes–aka herpetologists–the mechanics behind the reptiles’ fast fangs are more fascinating than fear-inducing.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
The finalists will be judged in a range of categories, including ones for reptiles, insects and fish, as well as for younger photographers.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Cameroon Death Lake Lake Nyos in Cameroon, Central Africa; deadly carbon dioxide gas suddenly burst forth in 1986, creating a toxic cloud that killed nearly 1,800 people, 3,000 cattle, and countless domestic and wild animals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The agency said rising water levels in rivers, gullies and swamps may push the reptiles into residential areas in search of dry ground.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
The slender, needle-sharp teeth allowed these ancient reptiles to capture slippery prey like fish and turtles.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
The species also has functional and morphological similarities to some modern squamates, the largest order of reptiles that contains lizards and snakes.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2025
Its hooves are an example of a phenomenon called convergent evolution in which disparate organisms independently evolve similar features — like the wings of birds, bats and the extinct flying reptiles called pterosaurs — while adapting to similar environments or ecological niches.
—Reuters, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
For those brave scientists who study snakes–aka herpetologists–the mechanics behind the reptiles’ fast fangs are more fascinating than fear-inducing.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
The finalists will be judged in a range of categories, including ones for reptiles, insects and fish, as well as for younger photographers.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Cameroon Death Lake Lake Nyos in Cameroon, Central Africa; deadly carbon dioxide gas suddenly burst forth in 1986, creating a toxic cloud that killed nearly 1,800 people, 3,000 cattle, and countless domestic and wild animals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reptiles
Noun
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An inmate who trains service dogs was also instructed to give Maxwell time with one of the puppies, even though the dogs are not supposed to be pet during training.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
10 Nov. 2025
-
These include German shepherds, boxers, Pembroke Welsh corgis, Chesapeake Bay retrievers, Rhodesian ridgebacks, and Bernese mountain dogs.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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By the mid 19th century, clowns were more central to circus entertainment, and their acts more risqué.—
Time,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The clowns come at you quickly at Fast Splash Car Wash in Detroit, Mich.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Gave the two jerks her very best.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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Because even in a world of monsters, ghouls, and greedy jerks, the good guys still prevail.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Scarecrows, plastic owls and snakes, flashy pinwheels, and wind chimes are also of questionable efficacy.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Nov. 2025
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According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there are 44 species of native snakes in Florida, but just six are venomous.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Rodents, possums, and skunks show up to snack on the flesh and seeds.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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While striped skunk is edible, Coalition Brewing warns against its strong odor, scavenger diet and susceptibility to parasites.—
Stuart Dyos,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Dr Michele Menegon, a coauthor and conservationist, warns that ongoing deforestation, mining, and climate change are putting these rare toads at serious risk.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
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The Yachang leaf litter toads were found in clear-water streams filled with rocks in the forest, surrounded by trees and karst formations, researchers said.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The difficult truth is that hurricanes are complex beasts, inherently difficult to boil down into a single number.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
29 Oct. 2025
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Why no mumblings of atonement for the predatory nature of capitalism itself, its core values and standard operating procedures no different from those of the beasts in the field?—
Henry Freedland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reptiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reptiles. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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