1
as in addiction
a physiological need for certain drugs
I've got this monkey on my back, and going to detox is the only way to get it off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in devil
an appealingly mischievous person
come back here, you little monkey!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 monkey
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
There’s wildlife all around you, with monkeys moving through the trees and gorillas coming up to your window.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 8 May 2026
Valerie Demicheva and Flora Chang, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 July 2021
But this experiment isn't about monkeying around—this a real security and safety hazard, the researchers point out in a new paper.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 31 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for monkey
Noun
In addition to sloths and monkeys, Parque de Aventura is home to wild cats, anteaters, armadillos, and a variety of birds.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
There’s wildlife all around you, with monkeys moving through the trees and gorillas coming up to your window.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 8 May 2026
Verb
With supply running low toward the end of most evenings, savvy bun fanatics don’t monkey around, routinely calling ahead to request an extra skillet of rolls set aside just for them.
—Valerie Demicheva and Flora Chang, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 July 2021
But this experiment isn't about monkeying around—this a real security and safety hazard, the researchers point out in a new paper.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 31 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for monkey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monkey
Noun
-
But behind the scenes, Lebron, 32, tells PEOPLE, the new influx of cash was financing a severe drug addiction.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
Murdaugh also testified on his own behalf, admitting to lying to law enforcement and his yearslong addiction to opioids that often led to tension within his household.—
Pilar Melendez,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
This is the aforementioned devil’s chair.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
And, yes, there is a literal devil in this one, which won’t be a surprise to anyone familiar with LaValle’s novel.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
But if getting Andy back in the Runway fold feels a lot like getting her into it in the first film, that feeling will only persist, as the sequel apes the original feature nearly beat for beat, with some small swaps here and there.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
29 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a word for this type of storytelling, and Taccone deserves credit for delivering a superior version of this without outright aping its most famous practitioner.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
China is concerned about dependence on seaborne imports, which account for about 90% of its oil.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
19 May 2026
-
Cursor’s dependence on competitors as suppliers of underlying large language models is another issue.—
Rebecca Fannin,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
My mother was a total gem but also a bit of a rascal.—
Catherine Pearson,
New York Times,
8 May 2026
-
Right now, the rascal in him slumbers, briefly glimpsed now and again behind dark shades.—
Emma Madden,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Onion has long delighted readers with a mix of highbrow and stupidly silly news stories that parody the latest social trends and political tirades, highlighting their absurdity—and deeper truths.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2026
-
On the Season 44 premiere in September 2018, Damon parodied Kavanaugh’s Senate testimony, depicting his belligerence and frequently yelling, referencing beer, among other things — using many of the actual quotes from the hearing.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Opt for the signature Polynesian massage, which mimics soothing wave-like movements from head to toe.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
-
The hotel’s L’Oasis pool garden — hidden slightly farther inside the property away from the frenzy of the Croisette — mimics the show’s poolside power plays.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The campaign tactic seems to resemble musician Charli XCX’s 2024 album, brat, complete with the same lime-green and black text that became synonymous with the sensation.—
Britta Miller,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
-
An Air Force brat, Erica thinks of San Antonio as home.—
Erica Grieder,
Houston Chronicle,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Monkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkey. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
