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 That includes the requisite talking animal sidekick, Donkey (Eddie Murphy), and the damsel in distress, Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz). Skyler Trepel September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Dark Towers, crooked wizard towers, towers with damsels in distress. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025 Nintendo’s original damsel in distress first appeared in the 1981 game, kidnapped by DK for Mario (then called Jumpman) to rescue. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025 A little over a decade ago, actresses in these kind of movies were handcuffed to the role of the damsel in distress. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for damsel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damsel
Noun
  • At first glance, Amelia, with her purple bob and pixie-girl looks, seems an unlikely candidate for the far right to adopt as an increasingly popular meme.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
  • De Araújo lived through a similar trauma and skillfully maps the chasm between parents who want to protect their kid’s innocence and a girl who needs answers.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But who is this enigmatic maiden concealed behind a mask and uncharacteristically nervous about the ball?
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
  • The Chargers have been impressive in their D-1 maiden voyage, winning seven games (three over D-1 schools) and posting a 2-2 mark so far in the NEC.
    Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Sophie, meanwhile, is a maid at Penwood House.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 2 Feb. 2026
  • In Jackson, Mississippi during the early 1960s, a young white woman teams up with two Black maids to document the realities of domestic work in segregated households.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Damsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damsel. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

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