Reptilian

Referring to or resembling reptiles, particularly in physical appearance, behavior, or characteristics. This term often evokes images of cold-bloodedness, scales, a slithering gait, and potentially a perceived lack of emotion or empathy. In a metaphorical sense, 'reptilian' can be used to describe someone or something considered cruel, ruthless, calculating, or even prehistoric in their nature. It suggests a primal, instinctual level of operation, prioritizing survival and dominance. The word can be applied to physical features, psychological traits, or organizational structures.

Reptilian meaning with examples

• The creature's eyes were cold and reptilian, devoid of any warmth or compassion, sending shivers down the explorer's spine as it observed him from the shadows. Its scaled skin and long, thin form further cemented this impression, making the encounter truly terrifying, something out of a nightmare that was hard to shake.
• His business strategies were often described as reptilian; he seemed to operate with a cold calculation, prioritizing profit above all else. He demonstrated a relentless pursuit of market share, employing tactics that many found unethical, showing no regard for the impact on his competitors or the workers.
• The ancient artifacts depicted reptilian figures, their serpent-like bodies and forked tongues adding an air of mystery to the civilization. Their presence suggested a deep reverence for these creatures, or perhaps even worship, hinting at the importance of the reptilian influences in their mythology and religion.
• The government's surveillance program adopted a reptilian approach to control, monitoring citizens' actions and communications with an impersonal efficiency. The lack of transparency and the heavy-handed tactics sparked a strong reaction, with many believing that civil liberties were being eroded in the name of security.
• The evolutionary biologist studied the fossilized remains, noting the reptilian features of the dinosaur, particularly the bone structure. This helped to understand their lineage, their evolutionary relationships to other reptiles, and to reconstruct their physiology and behavior with greater accuracy.