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
No longer were gremlins only representative of niche superstitions held by nervous military airmen.
—
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2024
Some gremlins can be unraveled with linear problem-solving, a prowess possessed by AI.
—Chip Bell, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Ghosts in the Machine Ellen Walker October 23, 2024
Forty years ago, Hollywood made gremlins loveable—portraying them as adorable, furry creatures.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 Dec. 2024
The gremlins come out; the edifices crumble; the saucy doubts and fears triumph.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gremlin
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2024
Some gremlins can be unraveled with linear problem-solving, a prowess possessed by AI.
—Chip Bell, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Ghosts in the Machine Ellen Walker October 23, 2024
Forty years ago, Hollywood made gremlins loveable—portraying them as adorable, furry creatures.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 Dec. 2024
The gremlins come out; the edifices crumble; the saucy doubts and fears triumph.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gremlin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gremlin
Noun
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Lung, 52, previously told Hong Kong local newspaper Ming Pao that the character was inspired by his childhood, which was filled with Nordic folk tales of elves, trolls and fairies.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
25 Apr. 2025
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Last August, Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen asked Blanchett, who played the elf Galadriel in all three films, if Lord of the Rings constituted her biggest payday.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Thousands of visitors showed up dressed as their favorite characters from all parts of pop culture — superheroes and supervillains, wizards, elves, goblins, animals, Ghostbusters, Jedi and Sith, who all are calling Kansas City home base from Friday, March 21, to Sunday, March 23.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
22 Mar. 2025
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Kids consider costumes ranging from spooky goblins to little angels, and parents begin considering how to ration the candy collected after a long night of trick-or-treating.—
Sen. Dan Hall,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Emperor tamarins are dwarf monkeys with whiskers that resemble a white moustache.—
Robert Higgs,
cleveland,
1 Feb. 2023
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The dwarf variety grows to be about 5 to 7 feet, ideal for a small garden or accent in a room with limited space.—
Bryce Jones,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Gremlin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gremlin. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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