1
as in nymph
a mythical goddess represented as a young girl and said to live outdoors
in Greek mythology, naiads supposedly drowned the young men with whom they became enamored
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of naiad
Today, the naiads frolic in water that is periodically drained for cleaning and maintenance.
—
David Laskin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024
And now, as played with fierce physicality and grueling commitment by Annette Bening, Diana is a movie character: an impossible person who achieved the impossible, a naiad whose truer mythological counterpart might be Narcissus.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023
Leighton set his youthful figure — a classical nymph or naiad — in a Mediterranean setting.
—Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2022
The lovely Arcadia region, lush with cypress, poplar, and olive groves, bears traces of the virgin wilderness where nymphs, naiads, and the horned god Pan once frolicked.
—Thomas Linkel, National Geographic, 18 July 2019
David Laskin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024
And now, as played with fierce physicality and grueling commitment by Annette Bening, Diana is a movie character: an impossible person who achieved the impossible, a naiad whose truer mythological counterpart might be Narcissus.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023
Leighton set his youthful figure — a classical nymph or naiad — in a Mediterranean setting.
—Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2022
The lovely Arcadia region, lush with cypress, poplar, and olive groves, bears traces of the virgin wilderness where nymphs, naiads, and the horned god Pan once frolicked.
—Thomas Linkel, National Geographic, 18 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naiad
Noun
-
The centerpiece of her exhibition space is a green chandelier, and a working fountain made of Murano glass with colored flowers and nymphs in joyous poses.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
-
How long will cicadas stick around? Cicadas, which are called nymphs in their immature stage, don’t all emerge in one night, Kritsky said.—
Saleen Martin,
USA TODAY,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Ophiocordyceps sinensis fungus is a parasite that targets the caterpillar that is the larva of the ghost moth.—
Daile Zhang,
The Conversation,
14 Jan. 2025
-
The worm is the larva of a metallic blue-green fly that spends the early part of its life cycle devouring the living flesh of mammals.—
Geraldine Castro,
WIRED,
4 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The mermaid is meant to disrupt that ecosystem and destabilize its inhabitants, but there comes a point when Cornack’s film suffers from organizing a climax around its ornamental creature.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Her makeup had a sultry rocker edge to it with the black eyeliner and pink-toned nude lip, while her hair served beachy glam courtesy of her effortless mermaid waves.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Having regained his health, Geralt heads off with Jaskier and the dryad Milva to find Ciri, following a little skirmish with some power-mad guards.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
27 July 2023
-
Merlin and Cosmo are both in their 30s, with dark curly hair and similarly rangy builds, though Merlin’s face is more delicate, as though a distant ancestor might have been part elf or dryad.—
Jennifer Kahn,
New York Times,
8 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Naiad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naiad. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share