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
  • In 2013, four researchers from Terre des Hommes Netherlands posed as pre-pubescent Filipino girls on 19 different online chat forums.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 July 2026
  • These women and girls did not choose their circumstances, and the law should not compound their trauma.
    — Eric "Doc" Stelnicki, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
Definition of girl
Noun
  • The heartbreak of falling just short of her maiden maiden title was visibly heavy on Muchová during the trophy ceremony.
    — Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Of course, Ash has to defeat plenty of Deadites along the way, all while falling in love with the beautiful maiden Sheila (Embeth Davidtz).
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 10 July 2026
Definition of maiden
Noun
  • When the elevator opened on Sonya’s floor, a uniformed maid stood waiting at the apartment’s front door.
    — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
  • The person who started that rumor is the present-day, extremely status-conscious Queen Dowager (Our Unwritten Seoul’s Jang Young-nam), who is furious at the idea her husband would make a lowly maid a concubine.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of maid

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Cite this Entry

“Damsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damsel. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on damsel

Nglish: Translation of damsel for Spanish Speakers

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