animal rights

plural noun

: rights (as to fair and humane treatment) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all animals
animal rightist noun

Examples of animal rights in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Ahead of Groundhog's Day, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro jokingly rejected the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)'s plea to replace the state's famed rodent Punxsutawney Phil with a vegan cake. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025 The animal rights organization believes Phil is being exploited and would be happier living in his natural habitat. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025 An advocate for inclusivity and women’s empowerment, animal rights, mental health, and gender, racial and LGBTQIA+ equality, Grande celebrated her first Oscar nomination with an emotional post on Instagram, shared with her 376 million followers. Sandra Salibian, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025 The animal rights group cited affidavits from seven biologists explaining that elephants can experience empathy and self-awareness, as humans do, per Reuters’ Jonathan Stempel. Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for animal rights 

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of animal rights was in 1845

Dictionary Entries Near animal rights

Cite this Entry

“Animal rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animal%20rights. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

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