ghoul

noun

Synonyms of ghoulnext
1
: a legendary evil being that robs graves and feeds on corpses
2
: one suggestive of a ghoul
especially : one who shows morbid interest in things considered shocking or repulsive

Examples of ghoul in a Sentence

in Arabic folklore, ghouls could change their shapes but had one unchanging feature: donkey's hooves for feet
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In his masterful first novel, Lincoln in the Bardo, ghouls and spirits keep chattering away, as if at a corner barbershop, while Abraham Lincoln mourns his dead 11-year-old son, Willie. Pico Iyer, Air Mail, 24 Jan. 2026 Suturing Mary Shelley’s novel to his own 21st century anti-technocrat ferocity, Guillermo del Toro cranked up his ambitions in every element from costumes to cinematography and thrillingly brought his favorite ghoul to life. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026 Its lead character is Harry Dresden, a professional wizard operating out of the city of Chicago in a world where ghouls, ghosts, werewolves and vampires exist in the shadows of modern society. Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026 No disrespect to Purnell, who perfectly calibrated Lucy’s intrinsic hopefulness in the first season and slowly begins to curdle it this go-round as Lucy spends more time among ghouls, raiders, cannibals, and various other feuding factions. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ghoul

Word History

Etymology

Arabic ghūl

First Known Use

1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ghoul was in 1721

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ghoul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ghoul. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

ghoul

noun
1
: an evil being of legend that robs graves and feeds on corpses
2
: a person (as a grave robber) whose activities suggest those of a ghoul
ghoulish adjective
ghoulishly adverb
ghoulishness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ghoul

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