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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Playoff rematch Looking to exorcise the demons of last season’s Game 7 loss to the Montreal Canadiens? — Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2026 But on Wednesday afternoon in Atlanta, England was a mere five minutes away, plus stoppage time, from going back to the final for the first time in six decades, and coming one precious step closer from exorcizing all its World Cup demons. — Sean Gregory, Time, 15 July 2026 The lizard demon represents all the billionaires who have congressmen, senators, and CEOs answering to them. — Tina Eves, SPIN, 13 July 2026 Alfred Dreyfus to warn that the ‘demons of antisemitism’ haunting France’s past are again darkening its present. — Masha MacPherson, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 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
  • Trouble is, the place is haunted by racist ghosts (Stranger Things’ Brett Gelman and Ari Dayan) with dark motives of their own.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 24 July 2026
  • Kennecott offers a mix of ghost-town dwellings, historic attractions, and trails.
    — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2026
Definition of ghost
Noun
  • Sochor confessed to the crime, but her body has never been found − still a torment to her family.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 July 2026
  • By homing in on the psychological torment of winning the crown, the show offers a surprising detour from familiar carnage—while suggesting that disappointment over a seemingly ideal position can be as crushing as a defeat on the battlefield.
    — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026
Definition of torment
Noun
  • Night of the Living Dead centers all the action at a farmhouse, where seven people attempt to ward off the ghouls — without any prior knowledge of how to do so.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
  • As boss-man turns into a cantering, slavering, apparently all-over treble-jointed ghoul, Young-cheol announces that his own living blood contains the only antidote.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 29 May 2026
Definition of ghoul
Noun
  • Mayra Velasquez was charged with capital murder by terror threat on Friday, July 17, according to prison records seen by PEOPLE.
    — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
  • In line with the episode’s gothic theme, the women’s smiles, while somewhat genuine, carry a hint of terror.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Definition of terror
Noun
  • Daniel isn’t this devil’s only minion; Armand’s got an Illumination movie’s worth of cronies doing his bidding.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • The scene was both serious and strange — after all, this was Vegas and a member of the Satanic temple with black devil horns affixed to the top of his head was waiting for his turn on the microphone.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of devil
Noun
  • The new season will focus heavily on the original vampire, Akasha, portrayed by Sheila Atim in The Vampire Lestat.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
  • Among his vulnerable confessions include a detailed recollection of his first love, Nicolas de Lenfent (Joseph Potter), who became a vampire with Lestat.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 24 July 2026
Definition of vampire
Noun
  • The nightmare grows more and more fierce as guests venture through the haunted house, encountering ferocious Deadites around every turn before succumbing to the evil forces themselves.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 21 July 2026
  • In Harrenhal, Aemond is plagued by nightmares of his (not) dead brother dragging him to hell.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 20 July 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 27 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on demon

Nglish: Translation of demon for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about demon

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