carnal

adjective

ˈkär-nᵊl How to pronounce carnal (audio)
Definition of carnalnext
1
as in mundane
having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven the preacher warned that those who were interested only in carnal pursuits would not see the kingdom of heaven

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in physical
of or relating to the human body a missionary who tends to the carnal needs of the people as well as to their spiritual concerns

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sensual
pleasing to the physical senses carnal attractions of that gambling mecca in the desert

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of carnal are animal, fleshly, and sensual. While all these words mean "having a relation to the body," 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

When can animal be used instead of carnal?

While the synonyms animal and carnal are close in meaning, animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.

led a mindless animal existence

How do fleshly and carnal relate to one another?

Fleshly is less derogatory than carnal.

a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

When is it sensible to use sensual instead of carnal?

While in some cases nearly identical to carnal, 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

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 carnal Or have lunch with the soused, stubbly old man (Gary Oldman) who keeps saying witty things and seems to have no carnal interest in her whatsoever. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025 Music does in deed play a big role in the trailer, which shows off a rural Jim Crow Era South setting and sees Black people cutting loose in melodious and carnal celebration. — Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025 There's two parts of us, our highest good, and then our carnal, material self. — Daniela Avila, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025 The album’s best songs thread the needle carefully between carnal aches, pledges to weather relationship highs and lows, and conciliatory admissions that the singer-songwriter and producer doesn’t always make the best choices. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for carnal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carnal
  1. mundane
  2. physical
  3. sensual
  4. temporal
  5. bodily
  6. terrestrial
  7. animal
  8. earthly
Adjective
  • Most capture mundane experiences, impressive in their hyperrealistic way, but some are sublime, or surreal, or place you in a morally challenging position.
    — Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The first 1% improvement starts with embracing the mundane: patching and updating.
    — Morey Haber, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of mundane
Adjective
  • True connection requires full attention, not just physical presence.
    — Jennifer Kamara, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • New technology such as genetic sequencing of environmental DNA and real-time imaging is making the identification of new marine species quicker and easier, but scientists still rely on collecting physical specimens for confirmation, which can be slow work, Taylor said.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of physical
Adjective
  • McBryde in particular seemed to enjoy exercising her acting chops on the song’s sensual antagonism.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025
  • From plush Tuscan shearling and fluffy furs to structured tweeds and supple leathers, Yves Salomon paints a rich sensual experience that elevates its minimal, androgynous silhouettes.
    — Angela Lei, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of sensual
Adjective
  • Taking a broader temporal view of the crypto industry's evolution, of the over 24,000 cryptocurrencies listed on CoinGecko since 2014 to the end of 2023, over 50% have died.
    — Max (Chong) Li, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • From there on out, the film takes a couple of major swings in the realm of its timeline — a strange temporal unfurling — as well as the seeming motives behind A.J. and Isaac’s arrival, and Camille’s readiness to host them alongside a friend who clearly needs some alone time.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of temporal
Adjective
  • The other educator, 25-year-old Paxton Bean, is charged with official oppression and injury to a child with intentional bodily injury, a third-degree felony.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Research shows that repeat COVID infections cause long-term damage to people’s vascular, neurological and other bodily systems.
    — Nikki Morse, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of bodily
Adjective
  • Its civil servants have a track record of working fifty-to-sixty-hour weeks, based on spacecraft trajectories rather than terrestrial clocks.
    — David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Whatever terrestrial fare, it’s bound to be different from what is available on the ISS, around 200 miles or more above the surface of the Earth.
    — NBC News, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of terrestrial
Adjective
  • However, they are immediately attacked by a ferocious creature that seems not fully animal, not fully human.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Animal lovers will enjoy horseback riding or visiting one of the area’s animal sanctuaries.
    — Katie Seemann, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2023
Definition of animal
Adjective
  • This seems rather an understatement to your correspondent., for the style, substance, silhouettes and scintillation of Anaïs C. jewels embody an earthly yet mystical mix of sustainably sourced, precious gemstones inside of primal jewelry forms.
    — Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Now there is a new wave of missions—some crashing into the moon or missing entirely, but earthly technology is advancing and there have been some major successes.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of earthly

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Cite this Entry

“Carnal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carnal. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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