as in nymph
a mythical goddess represented as a young girl and said to live outdoors
dryads were said to live within trees, their lives ending when the life of the tree ended
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 dryad
In Ovid’s version of the story, after cutting down a sacred oak, Erysichthon is cursed with insatiable hunger by the dryad nymph who inhabited it.
—
Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
Having regained his health, Geralt heads off with Jaskier and the dryad Milva to find Ciri, following a little skirmish with some power-mad guards.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 27 July 2023
Breaking off a piece of the mushroom, Sheldrake pointed out its pores and scaly top, then tentatively identified it as dryad saddle.
—Jennifer Kahn, New York Times, 8 June 2023
Players will start out controlling a centaur with a whip as their dungeon manager, but eventually a dryad enchantress and monkey engineer can also be unlocked, with each master necessitating various styles of gameplay.
—Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2021
Isaac, the dryad Lena Greenwood, and the fire-spider Smudge lead the efforts to uncover the mystery.
—John Booth, WIRED, 7 Aug. 2012
Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
Having regained his health, Geralt heads off with Jaskier and the dryad Milva to find Ciri, following a little skirmish with some power-mad guards.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 27 July 2023
Breaking off a piece of the mushroom, Sheldrake pointed out its pores and scaly top, then tentatively identified it as dryad saddle.
—Jennifer Kahn, New York Times, 8 June 2023
Players will start out controlling a centaur with a whip as their dungeon manager, but eventually a dryad enchantress and monkey engineer can also be unlocked, with each master necessitating various styles of gameplay.
—Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2021
Isaac, the dryad Lena Greenwood, and the fire-spider Smudge lead the efforts to uncover the mystery.
—John Booth, WIRED, 7 Aug. 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dryad
Noun
-
Jo Sunday is like a forest nymph plucked out of an idyllic wood and thrown onto a Gowanus stage.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In Ovid’s version of the story, after cutting down a sacred oak, Erysichthon is cursed with insatiable hunger by the dryad nymph who inhabited it.—
Ellen Walker,
JSTOR Daily,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Maritime Festival, with its ship battles, pirate village and breakfasts with mermaids, routinely draws thousands to Dana Point Harbor.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Sánchez's corseted, mermaid-style wedding dress was custom-made by Dolce & Gabbana and featured hand-appliquéd Italian lace, per Vogue.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dryad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dryad. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share