reptilian

1 of 2

adjective

rep·​til·​ian rep-ˈti-lē-ən How to pronounce reptilian (audio)
-ˈtil-yən
1
: resembling or having the characteristics of the reptiles
2
: of or relating to the reptiles
3
: cold-bloodedly treacherous
a reptilian villainTheodore Dreiser

reptilian

2 of 2

noun

Examples of reptilian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Some of Swift's Australian fans also got reptilian ink ahead of the musician's arrival in the country. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024 Despite being nested within the same branch of the tree of life, legless, lengthy, and slithering snakes–capable of unhinging their jaws and delivering a venomous bite–stand out from their reptilian clade-mates. Popular Science, 22 Feb. 2024 When the specimen was discovered, researchers thought the fossil might provide a rare glimpse into reptilian evolution. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024 The reptilian giant found in England’s Stonesfield quarry needed a name. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Feb. 2024 George Howard, the general manager of The Swamp Park in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, said Wednesday that what viewers are seeing on social media is the reptilian behavior known as brumation. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 25 Jan. 2024 Even though the leg bones indicated an animal with upright, column-like legs, like most mammals, the details of the teeth were clearly reptilian. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Feb. 2024 Moyer, at least, brings a reptilian menace that’s distinct from Ian McShane’s bemused stoicism in the 2000 version. Alison Herman, Variety, 25 Jan. 2024 The almost reptilian moral indifference of the testimony delivered on that day has since cost two of the three testifying university presidents (Gay and the University of Pennsylvania’s Liz Magill) their positions. The Editors, National Review, 3 Jan. 2024
Noun
For the first century of dinosaur science, paleontologists imagined titanosaurs as giant, overgrown reptiles – and used reptilian growth rates to predict their milestones. Kristi Curry Rogers, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024 Bring awareness to judgmental thinking and accept that judging is our reptilian brain doing its job. 2. Hylke Faber, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 The man who set off a bomb in Nashville that damaged 41 buildings in 2020 believed that reptilian aliens were running the world. Keith Kloor, Scientific American, 9 Feb. 2024 The reimagining of the beloved reptilian warriors, from writer/producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, emphasizes the youthfulness of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello, who are all voiced by teenage actors with impeccable chemistry. Ew Staff, EW.com, 22 Nov. 2023 Fossils of smaller species were not only rare, but also often overlooked in favor of reptilian showstoppers. Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2024 The Ankylosaurus and armadillo-inspired reptilian monster debuted in Godzilla’s first sequel, Godzilla Raids Again (1955). Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2023 Studies of ginkgoes, horsetails, and other common Mesozoic plants indicate that the ancient vegetation was more calorie-rich than previously supposed, so the abundance of green food likely fueled the reptilian giants’ unprecedented growth. Riley Black, Popular Science, 9 Nov. 2023 Studies suggest that there are around 10,000 species of birds and around 6,000 species of mammals that possess the ability to produce sounds, not to mention the sound-makers in the reptilian and amphibian taxa, among others. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reptilian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reptilian was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near reptilian

Cite this Entry

“Reptilian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reptilian. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reptilian

adjective
rep·​til·​ian
rep-ˈtil-ē-ən
: of, relating to, or resembling reptiles

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