animals

Definition of animalsnext
plural of animal
as in creatures
one of the lower animals as distinguished from human beings we saw a lot of animals at the wildlife refuge—cranes, alligators, deer, a fox, even an armadillo

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 animals The park offers one of the most exciting wildlife experiences in Southern Africa, with a million acres of biodiverse savannas, wetlands, and montane rainforests, and a range of animals that includes buffalo herds, lion prides, and an array of birds. Lisa Grainger, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026 Since the turn of this century, studies have shown that short periods of radical calorie restriction has outsize benefits for animals. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026 For three couples, animals played a starring role in their milestone moments. Ronnie Li, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026 Riding larger vessels to save power Lamprey mimics fish that attach to larger animals to save energy and gain protection. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026 The cat rescue started during the Lebanese civil war in the 1980s when animals sought shelter from street fighting in the 1980s on its campus in the downtown Hamra area. Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026 Rabbits were used in the testing program, and some believe that lab workers released some of the animals into the wild. Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026 To achieve this, Lamprey steals a page from fish such as lampreys and remoras, which attach themselves to larger animals either to feed or to hitch a ride while enjoying protection and scraps of food. David Szondy february 09, New Atlas, 9 Feb. 2026 Solid brass door knockers with faces and animals were popular around the turn of the 20th century, and today, many are discarded at salvage and thrift stores when homes are renovated. Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for animals
Noun
  • So, the high proportion of carbon spewed into the atmosphere along volcanic arcs in the past 120 million years is mostly due to the carbon-rich sediments these creatures created.
    Ben Mather, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2026
  • However, state lawmakers are seeking to ban the taking of the rare ocean creatures altogether.
    News Service Of Florida, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • How can a small compete in a world of oversize jock beasts?
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Feb. 2026
  • All these beasts have been beneficial to Natalie's development, but we've been surprised by how wide-ranging those benefits have been.
    Bill Strickland, Parents, 8 Feb. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Animals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/animals. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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