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 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 Dark Towers, crooked wizard towers, towers with damsels in distress. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for damsel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damsel
  1. girl
  2. maiden
  3. maid
Noun
  • His two boys, Brooks and Luke, and two younger girls, Emma Claire and Milly, have grown up here.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Flash would rewire a street light to provide power for his turntables and speakers, and local kids—usually girls—passed out fliers and served as impromptu publicity teams.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of girl
Noun
  • Both were wins, a maiden-breaking score at seven furlongs (3/4 of a mile) at Churchill Downs on June 7, 2026 and a valiant win by a neck in the mile and a sixteenth Indiana Derby on July 11.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Ritual gifts include incense, flowers, perfume, cosmetics and soap, which Hor said are believed to bring beauty and charm after being blessed by the cowherd and seven maidens.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of maiden
Noun
  • Ella Beatty plays the daughter of a well-to-do New England family who develops a close relationship with her maid after abuse from her parents.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Creative liberties include a romance between Borden and the family’s live-in maid, Bridget Sullivan (Vicky Krieps).
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 3 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2026.

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