great ape

noun

plural great apes

: any of several large primates including the orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee, and bonobo that are classified in the same family (Hominidae) as humans

Examples of great ape in a Sentence

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Wild chimpanzees—which are also great apes and close human relatives—appear to give warnings to groupmates that haven’t seen a nearby threat, according to previous research. —

Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025 But these great apes, which are native to the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, are endangered because of habitat loss and hunting. —

Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2025 Well, a February study also by Isabelle Laumer and colleagues found that great apes like to tease, poke and pester each other too. —

Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024 Discovered in the ultramafic mountains in central Sabah, the species was named for the orangutan, due to its hairs’ striking resemblance to the great ape’s long, dark, rusty-red hair. —

Grrlscientist, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for great ape