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Old Nick

noun

ˈōl(d)-ˈnik How to pronounce Old Nick (audio)
Definition of Old Nicknext
as in Satan
the supreme personification of evil often represented as the ruler of hell he gave me a look that would scare Old Nick

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of Old Nick Jimmy refers to the Devil, his alleged father, by the more casual moniker Old Nick. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2026 Sir Jimmy is a psychopath who believes that the voice in his head belongs to his father, Old Nick (an archaic name for the Devil). — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Old Nick
  1. Satan
  2. devil
  3. Lucifer
Noun
  • Gibson also confirmed that Resurrection will include a depiction of Satan, portrayed in The Passion of the Christ by Rosalinda Celentano.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 26 May 2026
  • Dante and Virgil escape Hell by clambering down Satan's monstrous hide and through Earth's center of gravity.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 May 2026
Definition of Satan
Noun
  • Dostoyevsky’s sniveling devil comes closest to portraying the man chiefly responsible for organizing the Final Solution.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In January, Watts was a guest on actor Rainn Wilson’s podcast, where Watts played devil’s advocate to Wilson’s skeptic about casual use of mind-altering substances.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of devil
Noun
  • O'Keefe said Lucifer would have likely been played by Freeman or Carrey.
    — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
  • Her other credits include arcs on Burn Notice, Two and a Half Men, Suits, and Lucifer.
    — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Definition of Lucifer

Browse Nearby Words

oldness
Old Nick
olds
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Cite this Entry

“Old Nick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Old%20Nick. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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