Synonyms of animal

animal 1 of 2

noun

ˈa-nə-məl 

as in creature

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

• creature
• beast
• critter
• beastie
• brute
• invertebrate
• pet
• carnivore
• quadruped
• livestock
• herbivore
• varmint
• vermin
• vertebrate
• biped
• insectivore
• domestic animal
• blastie
• feral
• stock

animal

2 of 2

adjective

as in physical

of or relating to the human body

had intellectual as well as animal needs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• physical
• bodily
• corporeal
• physiological
• somatic
• corporal
• anatomic
• carnal
• material
• sensual
• fleshly
• sensuous
• hand-to-hand

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mental
• psychological
• inner
• intellectual
• cerebral
• spiritual
• nonphysical
• nonmaterial
• immaterial
• psychic
• metaphysical
• incorporeal
• ethereal
• insubstantial
• bodiless

Synonym Chooser

How is the word animal different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of animal are carnal, fleshly, and sensual. While all these words mean "having a relation to the body," animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.

led a mindless animal existence

When can carnal be used instead of animal?

The words carnal and animal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, carnal may mean only this but more often connotes derogatorily an action or manifestation of a person's lower nature.

a slave to carnal desires

How do fleshly and carnal relate to one another, in the sense of animal?

Fleshly is less derogatory than carnal.

a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

When is it sensible to use sensual instead of animal?

The words sensual and animal can be used in similar contexts, but sensual may apply to any gratification of a bodily desire or pleasure but commonly implies sexual appetite with absence of the spiritual or intellectual.

fleshpots providing sensual delights

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of animal

Noun

Officials say the last animal confirmed to have rabies that wasn’t a bat was a skunk infected with the bat strain of rabies in Long Beach in 2014. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Following God’s instructions, Noah builds an ark – a large wooden vessel – to save himself, his family and animals of every kind. — Eric Vanden Eykel, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026

Adjective

When Hamnet dies, Agnes lets out a sound of pure grief and rage and horror that is almost animal. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026

And much like the fictional sport’s real-world counterpart, in this all-animal cinematic universe, roarball is the ultimate culture-definer. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026

Phrases Containing animal

• animal husbandry
• animal magnetism