Synonyms of demon

demon

noun

ˈdē-mən 

variants or daemon

1

as in ghost

an evil spirit

only in rare cases is the ancient rite of exorcism performed to cast out a troublesome demon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ghost
• ghoul
• devil
• vampire
• nightmare
• imp
• wraith
• fairy
• genie
• elf
• monster
• goblin
• spirit
• fiend
• cacodemon
• ghoulie
• shaitan
• banshee
• succubus
• hag
• incubus
• dwarf
• lamia
• phantom
• apparition
• troll
• faerie
• specter
• poltergeist
• puck
• gremlin
• jinni
• pixie
• vision
• spook
• phantasm
• familiar
• gnome
• leprechaun
• shadow
• sprite
• bugbear
• brownie
• ogre
• fay
• hobgoblin
• familiar spirit
• bogey
• genius
• kobold
• afreet
• shade

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• angel

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

• torment
• terror
• affliction
• ogre
• hang-up
• bête noire
• hobgoblin
• bugbear
• bugaboo
• bogey

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of demon

Keziah teams up with a girl named Gigi to make Guy’s life a living nightmare, all the while contending with her own literal demon (a sleep paralysis demon who she’s named Steve) and with her growing feelings for Gigi. — Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026

The golden deer and the Lakshmana rekha When word of Khara’s death reaches his brother Ravana, the demon king vows revenge on Rama and Lakshmana with the assistance of Maricha (a rakshasa). — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Humanoid moths and demon babies, hitchhiking ghouls, the occasional sea monster and even a suspicious phantom kangaroo or two. — Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

Other popular depictions of ghouls conflated them with monsters such as zombies and demons. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026