as in elves
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers
in Europe, gnomes are thought to guard underground treasure, so that may be why statues of them are commonly placed in gardens
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of gnomes
Buyers are going to get a first look at ten international drama series that Series Mania has identified as global hits-in-the-making, with gnomes, Nazis, gamers, fertility clinics and the British PM all in the mix.
—
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
With their tiny fences and cottages, a dozen gnomes stood stiff as if at attention yet looked so happy residing on their brook’s muddy banks.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
In the afternoon, Paint with Pfred will feature spring gnomes for all ages.
—Melissa Grzybowski, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
The stop-motion Harrison has friendly interactions with gnomes, a Venus flytrap, a distinguished-looking oak tree, and even a sentient being who lives in a cave.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Later German statues of gnomes and famous fairytale characters were stationed at points along the trail.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Our love of gnomes is no secret, and a set of ten might just be enough for a holiday fix.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
There's also the light fixtures decorated with gnomes, plaster figurines of knights and other medieval figures, and wrought iron decorations created by Cyril Colnik − whose work also can be seen at Milwaukee's Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum.
—Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Linda-Marie Barrett is a writer, editor, and steward of a whimsical garden guarded by gnomes.
—Linda-Marie Barrett
september 10, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
With their tiny fences and cottages, a dozen gnomes stood stiff as if at attention yet looked so happy residing on their brook’s muddy banks.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
In the afternoon, Paint with Pfred will feature spring gnomes for all ages.
—Melissa Grzybowski, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
The stop-motion Harrison has friendly interactions with gnomes, a Venus flytrap, a distinguished-looking oak tree, and even a sentient being who lives in a cave.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Later German statues of gnomes and famous fairytale characters were stationed at points along the trail.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Our love of gnomes is no secret, and a set of ten might just be enough for a holiday fix.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
There's also the light fixtures decorated with gnomes, plaster figurines of knights and other medieval figures, and wrought iron decorations created by Cyril Colnik − whose work also can be seen at Milwaukee's Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum.
—Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Linda-Marie Barrett is a writer, editor, and steward of a whimsical garden guarded by gnomes.
—Linda-Marie Barrett
september 10, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnomes
Noun
-
Not as great of a kids’ parade as the one at Christmas with elves and Santa Claus and toys and snowmen.—
David McGrath,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
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The theft follows a similar incident in December, when members of the same group flooded into a Montreal grocery store dressed as Santa Clause and his elves, stealing food and leaving some of it gift-wrapped under a nearby Christmas tree.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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If witches have fall, then fairies have spring.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
12 Mar. 2026
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The pop start took to Instagram Stories to share that the fairies are guardian angels, and inspired by a favorite childhood book.—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Henson was cast as Hoggle, one of the film’s most prominent goblins and Sarah’s reluctant ally, while also managing puppeteering responsibilities behind the scenes.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
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The kallikantzaroi are a group of blind, black goblins who live underground during most of the year sawing at the world tree – a motif throughout various folklores that connects the heavens to the Earth.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
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At scale, this dwarfs data center optimization gains.—
Arjun Sharma,
IEEE Spectrum,
17 Feb. 2026
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The ditch that’s up to 19 feet deep dwarfs the heavy machinery inside of it.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gnomes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnomes. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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