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
Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
This low-budget-looking spot was way more successful than the company's previous 2000 Super Bowl ad, the one that bragged about wasting 2 million bucks while showing a monkey dancing on a bucket.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
Michael Haag, Dallas News, 10 Oct. 2022
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. Ettan.
—Valerie Demicheva and Flora Chang, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for monkey
Noun
The monkey was once an employee of the sake house, where it was trained to serve customers.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
This low-budget-looking spot was way more successful than the company's previous 2000 Super Bowl ad, the one that bragged about wasting 2 million bucks while showing a monkey dancing on a bucket.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Bears will be prepared for the environment, but getting that Morgantown monkey off their back will take a lot more than imagined.
—Michael Haag, Dallas News, 10 Oct. 2022
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. Ettan.
—Valerie Demicheva and Flora Chang, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for monkey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monkey
Noun
-
John McEnroe’s son Kevin McEnroe identified with Nick Reiner — charged with murdering his parents Rob and Michele Reiner — in a new essay exploring their respective battles with addiction and growing up in the shadows of their famous parents.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To play devil’s advocate, Rodriguez has exhausted a lot of patience (there’s a funny quote in Felipe Cardenas’ analysis about his physical stats).—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Among the fastest-growing indoor plants is golden pathos or devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum).—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hopefully, that will honor the original film by not trying to ape it.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But none aped the style of an actual Super Bowl ad more cleverly than this one, clearly modeled after Budweiser’s ads that tend to feature horses and inspirational voiceovers.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
India does have plans to reduce its dependence.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Instead of running everything through massive centralized models, enterprises are distributing intelligence by blending foundational models with small language models, reducing hyperscaler dependence and optimizing performance for specific, local environments.—
Abhas Ricky,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Of all the former rascals, Symoné has enjoyed the longest and most successful career in entertainment.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Sonny’s obituary had racked up more than 1,800 reactions and comments as of Thursday, Jan. 29, many from people thanking the community for embracing such a rascal.—
Mark Price
January 29,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The question was how to parody a movie in which the company itself played a pivotal part.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Feb. 2026
-
In response, track athlete Alysia Montaño crafted a video in conjunction with the New York Times, parodying Nike’s sponsor’s ad.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
OpenAI’s safety framework requires special safeguards for models with high cybersecurity risk that are designed to prevent the AI from going rogue and doing things like acting deceptively, sabotaging safety research, or hiding its true capabilities.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Men and their doctors aren’t going rogue with this treatment—there is some research behind it.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Crafted from a cashmere-mimicking material in a drapey silhouette, this chic layer keeps you cozy without the itch or boxy fit.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Once activated with the magnet, these designs appear to move up and down, mimicking the motion of a laser barcode scanner.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Monkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkey. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
