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
animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.
led a mindless animal existence
Example Sentences
a time of year when people shouldn't focus on fleshly concerns, but instead on spiritual matters the fleshly eye sees the only finished painting, but the mind's eye sees the genius behind its creation
Recent Examples on the WebThere is a leveling effect to his approach, one that allows About Endlessness to find grandeur in the smallest of everyday moments while also highlighting the fallible, fleshly absurdity of even history’s most outsize figures. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2021 They were tempted by curiosity and hunger, by fleshly desires. Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2021 When all seems lost, a magical, fleshly reappearance defies death’s despair.Longreads, 14 Apr. 2020 Our fleshly forms evolved to work within the tug of gravity.National Geographic, 12 June 2019 Beasley’s lush and sculptures are anchored in fleshly experience. Cate Mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, 23 May 2018 A bovine nirvana, in other words, where the fleshly mortification of Theravada Buddhism does not apply. Joseph Hincks / Hong Kong, Time, 30 Aug. 2017 For two decades, Howard has sworn off liquor, cigarettes, women, and other fleshly temptations. Matt Wolfe, New Republic, 2 Aug. 2017 See More
Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of fleshly was before the 12th century