damsel

noun

ˈdam-zəl How to pronounce damsel (audio)
Definition of damselnext
as in girl
a young unmarried woman knights are celebrated in fairy tales for rescuing damsels in distress

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 damsel After two seasons of Peter chasing around Rose Larkin, Isabel proves to be more than a distressed damsel, solidifying journalism’s crucial place in holding power accountable and aiding governmental investigations at large. — Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 19 Feb. 2026 The brave lifeguard risks life and limb to stab and punch the killer fish and rescue the damsel in distress, only to lose her to a man in a spacesuit walking along the sand who removes his helmet as the woman sprints to our space hero. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026 In the Terminator films, Hamilton played heroine Sarah Connor, a damsel in distress who becomes a hard-ass warrior. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025 Infiniti’s portrayal of Willa has drawn praise for subverting the trope of the damsel in distress, instead becoming her very own heroine in the tale. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for damsel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damsel
  1. girl
  2. maiden
  3. maid
Noun
  • Santa Margarita’s domination in high school girls golf continued Monday, with the Eagles winning the Southern Section Division 1 team title by four strokes over Orange Lutheran at Los Serranos Golf Club in Chino Hills.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Track Pants Want to get in on the cool-girl pants trend backed by PEOPLE writers and A-listers like Jennifer Lawrence?
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of girl
Noun
  • So, about a year into his professional career, Brennan had already earned a PGA Tour membership, and less than a year on from that maiden victory, he's earned two more wins.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • There was a procession to the church of white clad handmaidens (tärnor), star boys (stjärngossar) and gingerbread men (pepparkaksgubbar) with candle wreaths on the maidens’ heads – now battery powered rather than actual flames.
    — Natasha Langan, TheWeek, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of maiden
Noun
  • The maid-servant has just dipped a flannel into the white basin of water at her feet and is now holding the flannel up to wash Mary’s face.
    — Artforum, Artforum, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The piece was presented by Queen Anne to her maid-of-honour, Lady Elizabeth Russell, who married Peter Bowlby circa 1750.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of maid

Browse Nearby Words

dams
damsel
damsels
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Cite this Entry

“Damsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damsel. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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