plural cryptids
: an animal (such as Sasquatch or the Loch Ness Monster) that has been claimed to exist but never proven to exist
Contrary to popular belief, cryptids don't have to be supernatural, mythical or even all that strange—though many popular creatures acquire these characteristics as their legends grow.—
Hayley Williams
Hayley Williams… fighting the Grafton Monster—a monstrous cryptid vaguely resembling a cross between Bigfoot and a seal …—Alan Olson
Alan OlsonExamples of cryptid in a Sentence
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The deep woods in which the film takes place may be mostly free from human encroachment, but these cryptids bear witness to what’s happening and contribute some distinctive noises of their own.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2024
Our protagonist here is cryptid hunter Peter Byrne, a man whose tireless questing since the 1970s has earned him a special place in the Bigfoot research community.
—Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 18 Jan. 2024
Are There Other Tales of Unproven Creatures in Africa?
Beyond real prehistoric relics, Van Lierde’s sighting isn’t the only cryptid — a creature whose existence is unproven, like Bigfoot and or the Loch Ness Monster — that may await daring discoverers in the Congo.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2024
Frogman Festival Celebrating the mythical Loveland Frogman, this festival boasts more than 50 unique vendors, circus sideshows and speakers specializing in cryptids, the paranormal, unexplained phenomena, folklore, UFOs and more.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cryptid 
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2024
Our protagonist here is cryptid hunter Peter Byrne, a man whose tireless questing since the 1970s has earned him a special place in the Bigfoot research community.
—Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 18 Jan. 2024
Are There Other Tales of Unproven Creatures in Africa?
Beyond real prehistoric relics, Van Lierde’s sighting isn’t the only cryptid — a creature whose existence is unproven, like Bigfoot and or the Loch Ness Monster — that may await daring discoverers in the Congo.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2024
Frogman Festival Celebrating the mythical Loveland Frogman, this festival boasts more than 50 unique vendors, circus sideshows and speakers specializing in cryptids, the paranormal, unexplained phenomena, folklore, UFOs and more.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cryptid
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cryptid.' 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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“Cryptid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptid. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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