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
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Example Sentences
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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
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The babies, called nymphs, hatch from these eggs after six weeks and fall to the ground.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
29 May 2025
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Early instar nymphs are black in color with white spots; fourth instar nymphs are red with black and white spots.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The larva will soon be done feeding, or may have already left the leaf, having matured into an adult that flew away.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
8 May 2025
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The animal is a large male that may have hitched a ride as a larva in the ballast water of a boat.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 May 2025
Noun
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Now, drama comes in the form of scenery; swimmers emerge from the sea like mermaids to sun on the rocks while seagulls look like paper airplanes being carried through the sky.—
Lily Radziemski,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
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From encounters with mermaids, the devil and even Robin Hood to themes of superstition and skulduggery, these short tales are perfect escapism to dip in and out of during your summer vacation.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
Noun
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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
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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 6 Jun. 2025.
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