SENSUAL Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sensual' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sensual are animal , carnal , and fleshly . While all these words mean "having a relation to the body," 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

Q: When could 'animal' be used to replace 'sensual'?

Although the words animal and sensual have much in common, animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person. // led a mindless animal existence

Q: When might 'carnal' be a better fit than 'sensual'?

In some situations, the words carnal and sensual are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Q: How are the words 'fleshly' and 'carnal' related as synonyms of 'sensual'?

Fleshly is less derogatory than carnal . // a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

sensual

adjective

ˈsen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl

Definition of sensual

as in sensuous

pleasing to the physical senses the sensual feel of a velvet shirt against the skin

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How is the word sensual different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sensual are animal, carnal, and fleshly. While all these words mean "having a relation to the body," 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

When could animal be used to replace sensual?

Although the words animal and sensual have much in common, animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.

led a mindless animal existence

When might carnal be a better fit than sensual?

In some situations, the words carnal and sensual are roughly equivalent. However, 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

How are the words fleshly and carnal related as synonyms of sensual?

Fleshly is less derogatory than carnal.

a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

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 sensual Nick Interlandi’s soundscapes swell with the rat-a-tat of machine guns, or zero in on the precise, satisfying crunch of glass cracking under bone, while Oren Soffer’s cinematography runs the gamut from sickly clinical to startlingly sensual. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 This isn’t Musgraves’ first venture into lifestyle products with a distinctly sensual bent. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 21 Aug. 2026 The compliment magnet has top notes of refreshing, juicy pear, a feminine freesia heart, and deep, sensual patchouli base. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026 That exchange starts an open question of power between the two, and their sensual fried-chicken dinner is the first round of the negotiation. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sensual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensual

Adjective

In our natural state, the sensuous and formal drives conflict with each other.

— The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 5 Aug. 2026
The interplay between straight lines and sensuous curves is there, too.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026

Definition of sensuous

Adjective

Prolonged periods of drought are scorching French pastures, leeching them of their usual lush green vitality and leaving behind parched, lifeless yellow fields.

— Vivian Song, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Heat and uneven rainfall have stressed forests in some areas, while timely moisture has kept others lush.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of lush

Adjective

Walk-in closets are a pleasant surprise, and the marble bathrooms have soaking tubs and showers with excellent water pressure, and a stash of Molton Brown toiletries.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
The stadium hasn’t sold out since Opening Day, but the steady stream of out-of-state fans coming to celebrate the return of women’s pro baseball has been one of the many pleasant surprises of the WPBL’s opening season.

— Emily Ohman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of pleasant

Adjective

Its rooftop bar, Zefiro, is a hotspot for creative cocktails with views of the Duomo, while a restaurant by Korean-American chef Akira Back, who trained under Nobu, brings delicious Japanese fusion cuisine to a city dominated by pasta and steak.

— Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Cast your mind back to the winter of 2024 and the delicious second season of The Traitors.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of delicious

Adjective

In a room filled with enough humanitarian awards, photos with legends, and travel souvenirs to fill a museum, the bike is a delightful reminder that even an American icon has to get her cardio in.

— Gloria Steinem, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026
Season two of Adults is just as funny as the first, if not more, and apparently just as delightful to make.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of delightful

Adjective

The family-friendly resort offers a host of amenities, including complimentary kayaks and paddleboards to use at the private beach, two heated pools, a luxurious spa, and more.

— Megan duBois, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
In fact, the tapestry’s most singular attribute is its luxurious use of horizontal space.

— John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of luxurious

Adjective

In this case, her yearning for him seems as much carnal as romantic.

— Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 26 July 2026
Misty Roberts, 44, was sentenced June 9 after being found guilty in March of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile, both felonies, according to KPLC, The Guardian and Louisiana Radio Network.

— Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

Definition of carnal

Browse Nearby Words

sensory

sensual

sensualist

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“Sensual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensual. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sensual

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