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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of demons
Nas sounds hungry again, his dense, circular writing a tangle of flashbacks and evocative images of preachers rebuking demons and Yoda smoking blunts.
—
Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026
First, of course, is Nakache’s incredible resilience in the face of the demons of his past, which stem from the greater history of his country.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Maybe overcoming his postseason demons with a Super Bowl win could launch the Bills quarterback into another hobby level, though.
—Larry Holder, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
In 1970s Tacoma, a young girl with a predilection for spooky phenomena is seeing demons.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Vecna's inner demons Holly leads the kids into the mineshaft and starts pushing them through the exit from the fantasyland, but Vecna is close on her heels.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
In the film, they’re forced to square off against a rival boy band called the Saja Boys, who are also secretly demons.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2025
To combat them, the demons form their own rival K-pop boy band, dubbed the Saja Boys, to steal their fans and gobble up their souls for their demon master.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025
His road movie account of an American artist who moves quickly from a career as a stripper to would-be boxer to writer/musician while literally (in her view) fighting off demons, was challenging to capture, especially working solo with a handheld camera.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026
First, of course, is Nakache’s incredible resilience in the face of the demons of his past, which stem from the greater history of his country.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Maybe overcoming his postseason demons with a Super Bowl win could launch the Bills quarterback into another hobby level, though.
—Larry Holder, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
In 1970s Tacoma, a young girl with a predilection for spooky phenomena is seeing demons.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Vecna's inner demons Holly leads the kids into the mineshaft and starts pushing them through the exit from the fantasyland, but Vecna is close on her heels.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
In the film, they’re forced to square off against a rival boy band called the Saja Boys, who are also secretly demons.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2025
To combat them, the demons form their own rival K-pop boy band, dubbed the Saja Boys, to steal their fans and gobble up their souls for their demon master.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025
His road movie account of an American artist who moves quickly from a career as a stripper to would-be boxer to writer/musician while literally (in her view) fighting off demons, was challenging to capture, especially working solo with a handheld camera.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demons
Noun
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These ghosts, which take the form of their dead friends, are mostly just goofy, with the shoddy special effects and glowy auras giving the whole thing a distinctly Haunted Mansion vibe; critically, the threat never feels real, which undermines any tension.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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The ghosts of a 37-0 shutout to Iowa less than a month ago still lingered — the boos that faded into silence, the homecoming crowd that emptied before the fourth quarter, the scoreboard stuck on humiliation.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
As with many of A24's horror movies, we're left to ponder whether anything supernatural happens as Maud's quest reaches its apotheosis, proving that fanatical belief is enough to inspire great terrors.—
Dennis Perkins,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The internet gives us more opportunity to be exposed to noteworthy terrors from other countries.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
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In odd years, the company produces the story of a group of pastores making a perilous trek to Bethlehem to pay their respects to the Holy Manger while fighting devils and their powerful leader Luzbel.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
25 Nov. 2025
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
-
Kids can trick-or-treat at Calico Ghost Town shops and businesses before the sun falls and ghouls fill the park.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
29 Dec. 2025
-
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
-
On the previous episode, the stars danced spooky routines as ghosts, zombies, vampires and more for Halloween Night.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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Bound to the service of the Hellsing Organization, Alucard fights against fellow vampires, a crusading faction of the Vatican called the Iscariot Organization, and wannabe Nazis alongside his allies Seres Victoria and Integra Hellsing.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
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
-
Eight years later, the show isn’t making viewers nostalgic or giving them nightmares.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
26 Dec. 2025
-
The students allegedly experienced sleep issues, nightmares and were scared of returning to school due to the possibility of being in that room.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
18 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demons. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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