Antonyms for gorilla

Grammar : Noun

Spell : guh-ril-uh

Phonetic Transcription : gəˈrɪl ə

Definition of gorilla

Origin : 1847, applied to the apes (Troglodytes gorills) by U.S. missionary Thomas Savage, from Greek gorillai, plural of name given to wild, hairy people in a Greek translation of Carthaginian navigator Hanno's account of his voyage along the N.W. coast of Africa, c.500 B.C.E. Allegedly an African word.
In its inmost recess was an island similar to that formerly described, which contained in like manner a lake with another island, inhabited by a rude description of people. The females were much more numerous than the males, and had rough skins: our interpreters called them Gorillae. We pursued but could take none of the males; they all escaped to the top of precipices, which they mounted with ease, and threw down stones; we took three of the females, but they made such violent struggles, biting and tearing their captors, that we killed them, and stripped off the skins, which we carried to Carthage: being out of provisions we could go no further. [Hanno, "Periplus"]
Of persons perceived as being gorilla-like, from 1884.

As in monkey : noun primate
As in athlete : noun person involved in sports
As in thug : noun hoodlum
As in primate : noun order of mammals
As in anthropoid : noun ape
As in hoodlum : noun crook
As in primate : noun anthropoid
As in simian : noun ape
As in goon : noun ruffian

Example sentences :

Mouthing his rage, the gorilla flung the earth man to the ground.
Extract from : « Astounding Stories of Super-Science, October, 1930 » by Various

"Don't waste no time on that cast-iron mug of his," says Gorilla.
Extract from : « Shorty McCabe » by Sewell Ford

His arms and chest were built on the same general plan as those of a gorilla.
Extract from : « Islands of Space » by John W Campbell

They're a lot more like a man than a man is like, for instance, a gorilla.
Extract from : « The Colors of Space » by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Chipmunk with the strength of a gorilla and the courage of a lion.
Extract from : « The Rough Road » by William John Locke

But all you ladies are mono-maniacs; one might as well talk sense to a gorilla.
Extract from : « A Simpleton » by Charles Reade

The gorilla is of migratory habits at some seasons of the year.
Extract from : « Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 7 » by Charles H. Sylvester

Its mouth was wider, and the nose less prominent than that of the gorilla.
Extract from : « In the Wilds of Africa » by W.H.G. Kingston

We had no wish, either, to remain longer than necessary in the gorilla region.
Extract from : « In the Wilds of Africa » by W.H.G. Kingston

Perhaps he took me for a gorilla, which the lion is said to hold in wholesome fear.
Extract from : « In the Wilds of Africa » by W.H.G. Kingston

Synonyms for gorilla

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019