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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Many of those featured in the series are cryptids, creatures whose existence is disputed and often possess preternatural — meaning extraordinary — abilities, such as the Himalayan yeti or Australia’s amphibious bunyip.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Just last month, Forbes Entertainment spoke with Noah about SpectreVision’s forthcoming comic book series at Oni Press, High Strangeness, which will shine a more accurate light on popular paranormal topics like cryptids and the Men in Black.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Others have questioned if the rabbits with the growths could be jackalopes, a cryptid from American lore which is said to have the body of a jackrabbit and the horns of an antelope, per The Smithsonian.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
At the same time, the researchers explicitly caution that their findings don’t validate arguments in favor of an aquatic cryptid in Scotland either.
—Andrew Paul Jul 30, Popular Science, 30 July 2025
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Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Just last month, Forbes Entertainment spoke with Noah about SpectreVision’s forthcoming comic book series at Oni Press, High Strangeness, which will shine a more accurate light on popular paranormal topics like cryptids and the Men in Black.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Others have questioned if the rabbits with the growths could be jackalopes, a cryptid from American lore which is said to have the body of a jackrabbit and the horns of an antelope, per The Smithsonian.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
At the same time, the researchers explicitly caution that their findings don’t validate arguments in favor of an aquatic cryptid in Scotland either.
—Andrew Paul Jul 30, Popular Science, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cryptid
Cite this Entry
“Cryptid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryptid. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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