as in disturbances
a state of noisy, confused activity
the post office is always a zoo the day that tax returns are due
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Recent Examples of zoos
Reynolds suggested that the inventory was low in local zoos.
—
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Responding to these criticisms, the Guadalajara Zoo’s primate expert emphasized that modern zoos provide a unique opportunity to protect species from global threats.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
The story is equal parts bizarre, fascinating and revealing about how zoos manage — and sometimes fail to manage — captive wildlife.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
Other large exotic animals most commonly seen in zoos, such as elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, crocodiles, alligators, hippopotamuses, kangaroos and wallabies, are all banned, with some specific exceptions for zoos and research facilities.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
In the years after Nixon’s visit, China continued to send pandas to zoos in the United States.
—Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Allegheny County said South Park intentionally keeps its herd small, and sometimes individual bison are traded with zoos and wildlife preserves to keep the herd genetics healthy and diverse.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens has once again been named as one of the top zoos in the US in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, less than two weeks after opening a $72 million new entryway and manatee-care facility.
—Tom Szaroleta, Florida Times-Union, 18 Mar. 2026
This is one of the two zoos in Arizona and includes an aquarium and safari park all in one place.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Responding to these criticisms, the Guadalajara Zoo’s primate expert emphasized that modern zoos provide a unique opportunity to protect species from global threats.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
The story is equal parts bizarre, fascinating and revealing about how zoos manage — and sometimes fail to manage — captive wildlife.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
Other large exotic animals most commonly seen in zoos, such as elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, crocodiles, alligators, hippopotamuses, kangaroos and wallabies, are all banned, with some specific exceptions for zoos and research facilities.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
In the years after Nixon’s visit, China continued to send pandas to zoos in the United States.
—Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Allegheny County said South Park intentionally keeps its herd small, and sometimes individual bison are traded with zoos and wildlife preserves to keep the herd genetics healthy and diverse.
—Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens has once again been named as one of the top zoos in the US in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, less than two weeks after opening a $72 million new entryway and manatee-care facility.
—Tom Szaroleta, Florida Times-Union, 18 Mar. 2026
This is one of the two zoos in Arizona and includes an aquarium and safari park all in one place.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for zoos
Noun
-
Studies show that ibogaine can cause dangerous heart rhythm disturbances, which can be fatal.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The measurements reveal that the slow solar wind emerges from the sun's surface in a nonuniform manner, producing small-scale magnetic-field disturbances.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over the past year, men’s ski jumping has been marred by Norway’s cheating scandal and more recent genital manipulation rumors, which has become one of the early commotions of the Milano-Cortina Games.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Warning signs of failure include strange noises or vibrations, constant running, rust, and odors.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
16 Apr. 2026
-
But her vitals are strong and there’s startling force in her unpredictable convulsions and bone-chilling noises.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The institute's 100-acre (40-hectare) site in Richburg, South Carolina, started to study hurricanes and heavy wind and rain.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Stories where hurricanes don’t bear down on teenage girls and raze.—
Jesmyn Ward,
Vanity Fair,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Often that game involved two rackets and a ball.—
Pablo Scheffer,
The New York Review of Books,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Instead, he's been working part-time at the front desk of a local tennis center and stringing rackets on the side, trying somehow to support his family of four on $15 an hour without health insurance.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The participants were all energized and had fun in the classes.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
This film, curated by some of the best directors in Colombia – his friends responsible for his legacy – is a great example of his vision for action, horror, fun and amazing directing.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Growing these plants around the perimeter of your garden can make groundhogs less inclined to venture further into garden rows.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Blooming Layers Alternating rows of various plants create a striking contrast.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Refrigerated pie crust helps this pie come together with just a few stirs of the whisk.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Zoos.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/zoos. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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