as in fairy
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers
during the World Wars, fighter pilots adopted the fanciful notion that gremlins were responsible for mechanical failures on their planes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gremlin
The colorful gremlins were often paired with bag charms, Trendalytics said saw 247 percent growth year-over-year.
—
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
The popularity of the petite gremlins has spawned fakes.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 Aug. 2025
With the ability to duplicate and turn into the titular monstrous creatures, the gremlins begin terrorizing Billy’s small town.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 July 2025
As mechanized as a race — or a movie — can feel, success or failure hinge on the human element, the hero battling the gremlins in the machine.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gremlin
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
The popularity of the petite gremlins has spawned fakes.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 Aug. 2025
With the ability to duplicate and turn into the titular monstrous creatures, the gremlins begin terrorizing Billy’s small town.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 July 2025
As mechanized as a race — or a movie — can feel, success or failure hinge on the human element, the hero battling the gremlins in the machine.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gremlin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gremlin
Noun
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Shine your fairy dust up there, girlfriend.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
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Shine your fairy dust up there, girlfriend.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And all these dwarves and elves and humans go, ‘What?—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025
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The special will be made available on Disney+ the following day, and the elves will head to ABC’s shelves later in the season.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And, that there was a goblin, squatting in my skull, rattling a metal pail full of bolts and hissing failure, rot, spoil.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
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Jack-o-lanterns, ghouls and goblins are around every corner, but the scariest creatures of all might be thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Fighting off hordes of alien monstrosities AND digging for rare minerals in outer space as a crew of beer-swilling, ass kicking space dwarves?—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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And all these dwarves and elves and humans go, ‘What?—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gremlin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gremlin. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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