variants
or daemons
1
as in ghosts
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 terrors
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
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Recent Examples of demons
This time around, aside from warding off mental demons that arose from her crash, Shiffrin, at 30, must also fight the indignities of age.
—
Sean Gregory, Time, 29 Jan. 2026
So, Hippocrates argued, the illness of epilepsy must be caused, like any other illness, by imbalance, not demons.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
An esoteric tradition takes Solomon’s wisdom to be the Ars Goetia, ritual magic used to summon and bind demons.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
While Anna tries to outrun her demons, her focus turns to solving crimes that have taken place within national park grounds, no matter who or what gets in her way.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
My demons have gobbled up my neighbor’s dog, burned down the assembly hall, and fabricated countless sources.
—Charlie Dektar, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
What is love if not a willingness to fight another person’s demons alongside them?
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
This is where the movie’s horror genre kicks into high gear, with the aggrieved pastor enlisting a deliverance healer to rid his son and Ryan of their demons.
—Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
Liberato was forced to stop and wrestle with inner demons that even a dose of magic mushrooms couldn’t tamp down.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 22 Jan. 2026
Sean Gregory, Time, 29 Jan. 2026
So, Hippocrates argued, the illness of epilepsy must be caused, like any other illness, by imbalance, not demons.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
An esoteric tradition takes Solomon’s wisdom to be the Ars Goetia, ritual magic used to summon and bind demons.
—Hari Kunzru, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
While Anna tries to outrun her demons, her focus turns to solving crimes that have taken place within national park grounds, no matter who or what gets in her way.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
My demons have gobbled up my neighbor’s dog, burned down the assembly hall, and fabricated countless sources.
—Charlie Dektar, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
What is love if not a willingness to fight another person’s demons alongside them?
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
This is where the movie’s horror genre kicks into high gear, with the aggrieved pastor enlisting a deliverance healer to rid his son and Ryan of their demons.
—Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
Liberato was forced to stop and wrestle with inner demons that even a dose of magic mushrooms couldn’t tamp down.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demons
Noun
-
Back at the castle, where the only thing haunting them is the ghosts of slain reality stars, everybody huddles to try to figure out whether to go for Ron or Colton.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Then, oh my God, there are ghosts!—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The junior is talented, but Love and Price were terrors for defensive coordinators.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The lustrous surfaces hide moral horrors, silence emotional terrors, and block out the filth beyond their boundaries.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There are sounds and shadows in the forest; the Devil, or devils, may be walking the earth.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
-
And then there are the infernal workers who make sure that Lucifer’s realm runs smoothly, among them farting devils, giants in chains, and a flying monster with the body of a serpent and the face of an honest man.—
Eric Bulson,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The author delves into the torments PTSD causes Vietnam veterans as well as family dynamics.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
21 Dec. 2025
-
Hell is nevertheless filled with bloody and horrific torments.—
Claudia Roth Pierpont,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Its lead character is Harry Dresden, a professional wizard operating out of the city of Chicago in a world where ghouls, ghosts, werewolves and vampires exist in the shadows of modern society.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
21 Jan. 2026
-
No disrespect to Purnell, who perfectly calibrated Lucy’s intrinsic hopefulness in the first season and slowly begins to curdle it this go-round as Lucy spends more time among ghouls, raiders, cannibals, and various other feuding factions.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Early slayers often originate between realms—people who have been near death and pulled back, or have the markings of potential vampires, or who are born at times of the year when the veil between worlds is thin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Some vampires want a piece of the action.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Despite its name, the bar operates as a globally minded cocktail destination with equal attention paid to other spirits, along with small bites and an impressive cigar selection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
-
And for Dirty Shirleys, different spirits, including vodka, gin, tequila and vermouth can be substituted.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
His nightmares began almost immediately.—
Nichole Manna,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Years later, a recluse with recurring nightmares, her terrible past resurfaces.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demons. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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