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 Whether the Ohio Derby victor can pull off a letter-perfect speed-demon upset remains Chip Honcho’s question. — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 The show followed Buffy Summers, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, as a high school student who also saves the world from vampires and demons. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 July 2026 But unlike his previous work, Lioness focuses on female protagonists juggling complicated homelives, inner demons, and brutal geopolitical conflicts. — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026 The items come in a signature purple colorway, which was used in the film to represent the markings of the demons. — Tim Chan, Footwear News, 28 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
  • Crow-Armstrong’s single to center leading off the 11th sent Kelly, the ghost runner, home from second.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • There’s ghosts, there’s futures, there’s residue in this building—there’s sweat from colonial histories that reside in brick and concrete for centuries.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 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
  • Algol relates to the Arabic al-ghül, which signifies demon or ghoul.
    — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of ghoul
Noun
  • At first, the men from Maidenpool laugh in his crispy little face, but soon their expressions evolve, from disbelief to disdain to awe and, finally, to terror.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But nothing has quite captured the pure animalististic terror of the moment in this episode when Rhaena, Daemon, Rhaenyra and Addam all come face-to-face, dragon-to-dragon.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of terror
Noun
  • Indeed, Aston Villa, who have frequently danced with the regulatory devil, have shuttered their North Stand for redevelopment and expansion this season, taking a hit to income now in exchange for bigger returns in the future.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • When Bob calls him a devil for shooting his own blood, Max doesn't flinch.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
Definition of devil
Noun
  • The 1994 classic, an adaptation of Anne Rice‘s 1976 novel, featured Louis (Brad Pitt) telling the story of how he was turned into a vampire by Lestat (Tom Cruise).
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
  • As the villains, Jamie Foxx and Dane DeHaan are trapped in Z-movie outfits and motivations — Foxx’s Max Diillon is a Spidey fan transformed by an eel attack, DeHaan’s Harry Osborn is basically a vampire.
    — Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of vampire
Noun
  • But things turned into a nightmare in the second quarter, as the Aces put a damper on the celebrations.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • With Skubal and so many other players injured, their May was abysmal, the type of nightmare month that can tank an entire season.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of nightmare

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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 10 Aug. 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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