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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 Due to popular demand, Black Bear is putting the extremely high-concept romantasy film in the most sensual format yet devised. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026 Mosaku’s dress was formfitting and merged timeless elegance with a scintillating, sensual appeal by contemporary standards. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026 These sensual glimmers are no match for the antagonistic sociality of straight male relationships, which, in this novel, quickly convert sympathy or desire into rivalry and aggression. — Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026 For more than three decades, his romantic ballads and hits have provided the soundtrack for couples swaying cheek-to-cheek to the sensual gouyad of konpa rhythms. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sensual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensual

Adjective

And their courtship, which White shoots with a sensuous intimacy, begins with some canoodling at a bar, then progresses into an impulsive hookup during a late session at the office.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
In our natural state, the sensuous and formal drives conflict with each other.

— The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of sensuous

Adjective

Take, for example, the three namesake waterfalls that cascade 60 feet down to the lush landscape.

— Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026
The church’s center has been reborn as a 96-seat restaurant with lush velvet booths, the seasonal menu courtesy of De La Nonna chef Patrick Costa.

— Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of lush

Adjective

These include beautiful beaches, delicious food, temples, scenic landscapes, wellness experiences, and adventures that push her beyond her usual routine.

— Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026
Everything was delicious, beautifully presented, and memorable.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of delicious

Adjective

The difference between one frame rate and another can be the difference between wanting to ogle a voluptuous demon and wanting to squish her like a bug.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2026
Everyone, meanwhile, can enjoy the simple, perfect sight gag of a voluptuous sheep cleaning a blackboard with her ample fleece.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of voluptuous

Adjective

Our server was absolutely delightful — friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu, specials, and drinks.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Executive Chef Carlos Segura collaborated with every other chef working in the resort to create a delightful tasting menu of all their favorite dishes from their grandmas growing up.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of delightful

Adjective

Turn it into a complete hair-care package by adding a silky scrunchie, a scalp massager, a luxurious hair mask, or a new brush.

— Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026
Making casual clothes look luxurious was hardly new, but Cucinelli did it in a way that flattered changing body shapes while establishing an instantly recognizable aesthetic.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of luxurious

Adjective

Through artifacts spanning 5,000 years, the exhibition constructs an extraordinary history of fashion and the body—material, carnal, vulnerable, seductive, devotional, fragmented—and its transpositions into various expressive languages.

— Judith Clark, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2026
Author-director Wayne Wang is back to carnal game playing as a catalyst for psychological mischief in Diary of a Mad Old Man, which stars Fan Bingbing and Lily Franky and is headed to a gala world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of carnal

Browse Nearby Words

sensory

sensual

sensualist

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sensual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensual. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sensual

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

outlandish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes