as in brute
having or showing the nature and appetites of a lower animal
with animalistic fury the boxer tore into his opponent
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of animalistic
In Buc-ee's complaint, the chain argues that the animalistic logo is too similar to its own – a toothy beaver wearing a red ballcap inside a bright yellow circle.
—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
The song’s almost animalistic sensuality is miles away from the safe choices Skye has made—or been asked to make—until now.
—
Cameron Cook,
Pitchfork,
22 Apr. 2026
There are nods to Linda Blair’s Regan in the sludgy projectile vomit that pours out of Katie, as well as the animalistic scampering, bodily contortions and levitation.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Buc-ee's is arguing that the animalistic logo is too similar to the buck-toothed beaver donning a red baseball cap inside of a bright yellow circle.
—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
The characters live in a world of mud, rain, wind, and animalistic yearning, reflecting the bugs and birds and rabbits and dogs and livestock that surround them.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Bergholm employs some very effective sound design here, giving just a hint of animalistic growling to the kid’s lusty cries.
—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Venezuelan tonka bean absolute gets an edgier twist with palo santo and musk, while coconut powder balances the earthy and animalistic notes with a subtly fresh sweetness.
—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
One quality that distinguishes the very best chess players is killer instinct, an almost animalistic will to win.
—
Jordan Himelfarb,
Time,
15 Dec. 2025
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
The song’s almost animalistic sensuality is miles away from the safe choices Skye has made—or been asked to make—until now.
—
Cameron Cook,
Pitchfork,
22 Apr. 2026
There are nods to Linda Blair’s Regan in the sludgy projectile vomit that pours out of Katie, as well as the animalistic scampering, bodily contortions and levitation.
—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Buc-ee's is arguing that the animalistic logo is too similar to the buck-toothed beaver donning a red baseball cap inside of a bright yellow circle.
—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
The characters live in a world of mud, rain, wind, and animalistic yearning, reflecting the bugs and birds and rabbits and dogs and livestock that surround them.
—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Bergholm employs some very effective sound design here, giving just a hint of animalistic growling to the kid’s lusty cries.
—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Venezuelan tonka bean absolute gets an edgier twist with palo santo and musk, while coconut powder balances the earthy and animalistic notes with a subtly fresh sweetness.
—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
One quality that distinguishes the very best chess players is killer instinct, an almost animalistic will to win.
—
Jordan Himelfarb,
Time,
15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animalistic
Adjective
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The broader implication is that AI infrastructure is no longer evolving solely toward brute-force scale.
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Femi regained control, tossing Uso to the mat with his brute strength.
Adjective
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And Addy, perhaps the most brutal American Girl story, is enslaved.
-
In January, the government suppressed huge nationwide protests in a brutal crackdown that left thousands dead.
Adjective
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The adult animation follows the trials and tribulations of a group of feral British cats from all walks of society, who seek companionship while ruminating on everyday life.
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Almost immediately, her half-feral dragon attacks Moondancer.
Adjective
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Those who believe Israelis and Jews capable of such an outrage might feel justified in wishing that such bestial monsters were wiped from the Earth—a shift from disgust to dehumanization to possible destruction that is well charted by social psychologists.
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Neither one of these people appears to be enjoying themselves, but the woman soon begins to grunt with the bestial upset of a werewolf under a full moon.
Cite this Entry
“Animalistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animalistic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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