demon

noun

ˈdē-mən How to pronounce demon (audio)
variants or daemon
Definition of demonnext
1
as in ghost
an evil spirit only in rare cases is the ancient rite of exorcism performed to cast out a troublesome demon

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in torment
a source of persistent emotional distress a man who was finally able to conquer his demons and kick his drug habit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 demon Flashes of the underworld, Family Guy-style, ensue, with flames, skeletons, demons, a mariachi band and various forms of torture setting the mood. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026 There are references to demons, being burned alive, and the duende king explicitly commands his minions to kill Jo and Raissa. — Parents, 25 Sep. 2026 As Batiba, Slate’s borderline baby voice walks a nimble line between seductive and menacing, but Manny Jacinto is the real scene-stealer as a literal baby demon. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026 Unlike other Mesopotamian demons, who can act only on the orders of the greater gods, Lamashtu can act entirely on her own. — Eleanor Johnson, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demon
  1. ghost
  2. torment
  3. ghoul
  4. terror
  5. devil
  6. vampire
  7. nightmare
Noun
  • As life moves on, ghosts remain The suit against Fox filed by Zakrzewski's widow, Michelle Ross-Stanton, is still winding its way through the British legal system.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Swift appears as the ghost of Farrell’s former wife, warning Johnson about her husband and revealing the dark truth behind his past.
    — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of ghost
Noun
  • But sequences in the film that show his inner torment serve an important purpose, says Primetime editor Daniel Garber.
    — Samantha Bergeson, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
  • His wife later told the priest that her husband had felt relief for a few days, but that the real cause of his torment had probably been a brain tumor.
    — David Owen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of torment
Noun
  • Six Flags Great America has transformed once more for its 35th Fright Fest, bringing demons, ghosts, ghouls and other things that go bump in the night to the park.
    — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • At once not quite real and all too real, Cohn has the uncanny presence of a ghoul or a fiend.
    — Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of ghoul
Noun
  • British authorities have linked the terror plot to Tehran, although Iran has denied involvement.
    — Azhar Sukri,Terri Cullen, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
  • That resonated for me because the war on terror did a tremendous amount of damage to people, and those people have suffered in silence.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of terror
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
  • Tours of the exhibit will be offered throughout the afternoon, but come to learn how to be transformed into a vampire at a special effects workshop.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Hiller plays Aldrict, an old-world vampire who has crossed paths with Liz several times over the centuries and is a bit of a troublemaker.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of vampire
Noun
  • That single choice unleashes a harrowing chain of strange and terrifying events in the dead of night, turning a simple gesture of kindness into a real-life nightmare.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Acceptance Soenen’s denial eventually gave way to panic attacks and nightmares.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of nightmare

Browse Nearby Words

demolitions
demon
demonetize
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Cite this Entry

“Demon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demon. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on demon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about demon

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