1
a
: relating to or given to crude bodily pleasures and appetites
gluttony and other carnal activities
b
: marked by sexuality
carnal love
Synonyms
Examples of carnal in a Sentence
the preacher warned that those who were interested only in carnal pursuits would not see the kingdom of heaven
a missionary who tends to the carnal needs of the people as well as to their spiritual concerns
Recent Examples on the Web
Even Agnes, who stands to earn the film an X rating with her carnal extracurricular activities, behaves in ugly ways.
—
Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
One of them is another family friend, the unhappily married Naomi Shah, who at the psychologist’s 40th wedding-anniversary party takes an interest in Griffin that turns quickly, shockingly carnal, leading to a series of encounters in her Mercedes and elsewhere.
—Alexandra Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
There's two parts of us, our highest good, and then our carnal, material self.
—Daniela Avila, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
For all their naughtiness, Wattpad movies are largely tame and regressive, and Through My Window is no exception, so its carnal openness provides a slight counterpoint to its sexist tone.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for carnal 
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Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
One of them is another family friend, the unhappily married Naomi Shah, who at the psychologist’s 40th wedding-anniversary party takes an interest in Griffin that turns quickly, shockingly carnal, leading to a series of encounters in her Mercedes and elsewhere.
—Alexandra Jacobs, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
There's two parts of us, our highest good, and then our carnal, material self.
—Daniela Avila, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
For all their naughtiness, Wattpad movies are largely tame and regressive, and Through My Window is no exception, so its carnal openness provides a slight counterpoint to its sexist tone.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for carnal
Dictionary Entries Near carnal
Cite this Entry
“Carnal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carnal. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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carnal
adjective
car·nal
ˈkärn-ᵊl 
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