great ape
noun
: any of several large primates including the orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee, and bonobo that are either placed in the same family (Hominidae) as humans or are grouped in a separate family (Pongidae)
Examples of great ape in a Sentence
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All great apes construct nests to some degree, and studies show that orangutans sleep deeper and longer than non-nest-building primates.
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Sierra Bouchér, Scientific American, 6 June 2024
But now paleontologists have identified what might be the smallest of the great apes, a primate that lived in the forests of prehistoric Germany and was the size of a small dog.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 June 2024
Humans share 99 percent of our DNA with chimpanzees and 97 percent with the great apes.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2024
Orangutans, the great apes of Southeast Asia, have a reputation for complex vocal communication.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for great ape 
Sierra Bouchér, Scientific American, 6 June 2024
But now paleontologists have identified what might be the smallest of the great apes, a primate that lived in the forests of prehistoric Germany and was the size of a small dog.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 June 2024
Humans share 99 percent of our DNA with chimpanzees and 97 percent with the great apes.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2024
Orangutans, the great apes of Southeast Asia, have a reputation for complex vocal communication.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for great ape
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'great ape.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Great ape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great%20ape. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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