species

noun

ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz How to pronounce species (audio)
Definition of speciesnext
1
as in type
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic a music that is now generally regarded as a distinct species of rap

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in kind
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common in the late 1960s there emerged a new species of actor: edgy and not conventionally handsome

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in world
human beings in general the future of the species may well depend on our willingness to limit the impact of an ever-increasing population

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 species Colobus congoensis, known to local people as Likweli, is just the fifth new monkey species scientists have identified in Africa in the last 75 years, according to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE Wednesday. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 The plant is a species of pyrrocoma, a genus of perennial North American wildflowers also known as goldenweeds. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 15 July 2026 The discovery closes the last major gap in the species' Northern Hemisphere range and gives researchers a rare chance to watch an invasive species gain a foothold in a new ecosystem. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 15 July 2026 The Endangered Species Act emerged that year as a kind of triage for species nearing extinction. — Ari Daniel, NPR, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for species
Recent Examples of Synonyms for species
  1. kind
  2. breed
  3. world
  4. category
  5. stripe
  6. humanity
  7. genus
  8. genre
Noun
  • Those near-misses inspired me to expand the mission to frozen cocktails of all kinds.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
  • Royals fans love the traditional Salvy Splash following a win, but there was one of a different kind during the Royals’ 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
Definition of kind
Noun
  • The casing is scaled to sit comfortably on everything from compact terriers to massive working breeds – a critical bit of design, given how easily a determined wanderer of any size can slip out of sight.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 July 2026
  • Other breeds that are at risk for pancreatitis include miniature dachshunds, poodles and cocker spaniels.
    — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2026
Definition of breed
Noun
  • For modern executives, this means treating their brain and emotional world as non-negotiable operational assets.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Sunday’s race completes his season, as there are no world championships being held in 2026.
    — Jim Barnes July 26, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026
Definition of world
Noun
  • Rooms There are 187 airy, loft-style, soundproofed suites spread across 10 categories, from the entry-level premium room to the sprawling gran suites.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
  • The Bayou State was ranked last for crime and corrections and scored low in the economy and natural environment categories.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado July 29, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of category
Noun
  • The quick-dry foam cushions are made of Sunbrella 100% acrylic fabric and have a taupe stripe.
    — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Cops were looking for two people who fled the scene, one of whom wore a black tracksuit with a stripe on the pants.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026
Definition of stripe
Noun
  • In Kurzweil’s version, the singularity involves an unmistakable break in which machine intelligence overtakes humanity and technological progress becomes impossible to predict.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 27 July 2026
  • In the years ahead, technical competence will become increasingly common, but the best of humanity may prove to be the greatest differentiator of all.
    — John M. O'Connor, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of humanity
Noun
  • In 2021, Zhongtang Yu, a rumen microbiologist at Ohio State University, sequenced the very first rumen ciliate genome from a species called Entodinium caudatum; its genus includes roughly 90% of all ciliates in livestock rumens.
    — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 27 July 2026
  • The plant is a species of pyrrocoma, a genus of perennial North American wildflowers also known as goldenweeds.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 15 July 2026
Definition of genus
Noun
  • Now there are two folk album categories — traditional and contemporary — which the alliance sought in part to better recognize the diversity within the genre.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • Tunes across genres rotate on the vinyl record player, from uninterrupted plays of '90s R&B icons to contemporary house beats.
    — USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of genre

Browse Nearby Words

specie
species
specific
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Species.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/species. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on species

Nglish: Translation of species for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about species

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All