monkey 1 of 2

noun

ˈməŋ-kē How to pronounce monkey (audio)
Definition of monkeynext
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

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2
as in devil
an appealingly mischievous person come back here, you little monkey!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

monkey

2 of 2

verb

as in to ape

Related 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 monkey
Noun
Last year, the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup and have to feel like the proverbial monkey is off their backs. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Perhaps like one’s heart crisply split in two, spilling its squelched juices, like the baobab fruit broken open by the stylish monkey in The Lion King, my favorite vintage cartoon. — Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 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
  1. addiction
  2. devil
  3. ape
  4. dependence
  5. rascal
  6. parody
  7. brat
  8. mimic
Noun
  • That growth has fueled disputes with states and Native American tribes over regulatory authority, while drawing scrutiny from sports leagues over game integrity and from advocates who say the platforms’ accessibility increases the risk of addiction.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • As live shopping grows, platforms like Whatnot have also grappled with issues such as theft and addiction claims.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of addiction
Noun
  • Behave yourself, buddy, or the little red devil will take you away!
    — Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Dostoyevsky’s sniveling devil comes closest to portraying the man chiefly responsible for organizing the Final Solution.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of devil
Verb
  • Critics and fanboy media thrashed Supergirl not just for its Guardians of the Galaxy touchstones, but also for aping Mad Max.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • The track apes the softly anthemic approach of U2, Coldplay, and the National—until all of that elegant uplift topples like an overly ambitious wedding cake.
    — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
Definition of ape
Noun
  • That has reduced the group’s historic dependence on the office market.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • One of the latest bets to reduce dependence on Barbie is Mattel’s first Wonder Indoor Waterpark, which is slated to open at the end of 2027 in Bellevue, Neb.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of dependence
Noun
  • Even though the Feeneys have gotten more competitive under the junior Michel’s management, the rascal-on-the-field ethos of the original team still prevails.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Not even the curmudgeonly Melvin can bring himself to harm the little rascal.
    — Camille Perri, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Definition of rascal
Verb
  • The couple was so famous that they were often parodied by TV comedians for their lavish lifestyle and Tammy Faye’s abundant makeup.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The couple was so famous that they were often parodied by TV comedians for their lavish lifestyle and Tammy Faye's abundant makeup.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of parody
Noun
  • Sure, there will be stein-hoisting and brat-tossing competitions.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Menu items include the charcoal burger, chicken, pizza, the brat burger and ribs.
    — Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of brat
Verb
  • Semaglutide, sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, is a synthetic peptide designed to mimic GLP-1, which helps regulate satiety.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The future for national cinema is bleak under a potential Flávio Bolsonaro presidency, with the candidate vowing to mimic virtually all of his father’s policies—and tighten some even further.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of mimic

Phrases Containing monkey

Browse Nearby Words

monk
monkey
monkey (around)
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Cite this Entry

“Monkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monkey. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on monkey

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monkey

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