animal rights

plural noun

: rights (as to fair and humane treatment) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all animals
animal rightist
-ˈrī-tist How to pronounce animal rights (audio)
noun

Examples of animal rights in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Mexico City Reuters — Mexico City’s local congress on Tuesday passed a measure aiming to make bullfights much less harmful to bulls and matadors, a move applauded by animal rights activists but sharply criticized by fans of the centuries-old tradition. — Reuters, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025 The drop in participants has raised concerns about the viability of the race, which has had to contend with inflation, climate change and pressure from animal rights groups. — CBS News, 14 Mar. 2025 Lopez is the latest City Council member to court controversy with a proposal aimed at animal rights. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025 The popularity of the fur look has not gone unnoticed by the animal rights groups. — Dolly Faibyshev, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for animal rights

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of animal rights was in 1845

Rhymes for animal rights

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Browse Nearby Words

animal pole
animal rights
animal rouge
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Cite this Entry

“Animal rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animal%20rights. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on animal rights

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about animal rights

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