duende

noun

dü-ˈen-(ˌ)dā How to pronounce duende (audio)
Definition of duendenext
as in appeal
the power of irresistible attraction even as a child, she had an unmistakable duende that attracted the attention of passersby

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 duende That involved the special forces paying due heed to Indigenous cosmology which suggested a malign shapeshifting being known as a duende was conspiring to hide the children from their would-be rescuers. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025 In some of its most memorable reporting, former host Maria Celeste Arrarás and the team of reporters shared stories of duendes lurking in trees in Central America, brujas voladoras captured on camera by a shaky camcorder, and UFO or alien sightings. — Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023 Charisma, class, and style all have something to do with duende. — Paul Daugherty, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2021 Which means that, for a dancer, duende is not only a mystical inspiration. — Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2019 Krug is no Orr, because no one can recreate that time, that talent that duende, but the winning rush was of near-No. — BostonGlobe.com, 23 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duende
  1. appeal
  2. charm
  3. fascination
  4. attractiveness
  5. sweetness
  6. attraction
  7. glamour
  8. magic
Noun
  • Admittedly, the album’s ’90s sound palette has echoes of millennial nostalgia bait—but then again, when has nostalgia not been part of Hemsworth’s appeal?
    — Mehan Jayasuriya, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The government filed an emergency appeal asking the justices to lift a lower court decision halting construction.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of appeal
Noun
  • Seeing Turturro back on the streets of New York alongside longtime collaborators adds to the film’s throwback charm.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Each fragrance is available as a $49 eau de parfum; a $25 body, hair and linen mist; a $20 solid fragrance that doubles as a bag charm, and a $10 scented candle.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of charm
Noun
  • There's a fascination with his helicopter rides from the Sixers' facility in New Jersey to New York.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The Gibsons were hoping to capitalize on that same fascination.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of fascination
Noun
  • On the other hand, higher Fed rates typically bolster the attractiveness of dollar assets, exerting depreciation pressure on local currencies.
    — , CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The rankings were based on student outcomes, learning environment and attractiveness.
    — Finch Walker, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of attractiveness
Noun
  • The subtle, but unmistakable, undercurrent of apple sweetness struck me as a bit of a magic trick in a bread that, otherwise, to the eye and hand was just a soft white loaf.
    — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This mashup of banana bread and banana cream pie gets extra sweetness from vanilla wafer cookies and banana pudding.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of sweetness
Noun
  • Carnival's larger ships include attractions such as a roller coaster at sea, while Norwegian offers amenities including water parks, go-kart racing and virtual-reality gaming.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • What contributed to making the Kyoto moment a more visible one is also Japan’s longstanding attraction to visitors.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of attraction
Noun
  • The evening was full of glitz and glamour, too, as celebs hit the carpet in incredible designer threads and accessories.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The sleek, modern look, nodded to some elements of the dark glamour trend.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of glamour
Noun
  • While these tracks are endearing enough, Way Dynamic’s real magic sits at the juncture of folk and forlornness, when Young’s guitar is allowed to ramble and his regrets are sharp enough to bruise.
    — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • To double the magic, running water could be added to the mix.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of magic

Browse Nearby Words

duels
duende
duenna
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Cite this Entry

“Duende.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duende. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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