as in elves
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers
dressed up the toddlers like goblins for Halloween
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of goblins
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
On this day, candles were blessed for use in the coming year, and any decorations left up were thought to be at risk of becoming infested with goblins.
—Bobbi Sutherland, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
He can be seen enjoying Ghosts ’n Goblins, the first entry in an ongoing franchise in which characters in a fantasy kingdom have to defeat a variety of, well, ghosts ’n goblins (and other foes).
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
Ghosts and goblins, along with Pikachu and princesses, filled the grounds of Heritage Hill Historical Park over the weekend.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
Jack-o-lanterns, ghouls and goblins are around every corner, but the scariest creatures of all might be thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
Forget goblins and ghouls—being secretly watched and filmed by a stranger is one of my worst fears, especially as a solo female traveler.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
Images of mythical creatures — goblins, dragons, flying horses — flash behind her.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
Some say the cave system would have connected the goblins from Hopkinsville to Hellier.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
Carlie Procell, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025
On this day, candles were blessed for use in the coming year, and any decorations left up were thought to be at risk of becoming infested with goblins.
—Bobbi Sutherland, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
He can be seen enjoying Ghosts ’n Goblins, the first entry in an ongoing franchise in which characters in a fantasy kingdom have to defeat a variety of, well, ghosts ’n goblins (and other foes).
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
Ghosts and goblins, along with Pikachu and princesses, filled the grounds of Heritage Hill Historical Park over the weekend.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
Jack-o-lanterns, ghouls and goblins are around every corner, but the scariest creatures of all might be thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
Forget goblins and ghouls—being secretly watched and filmed by a stranger is one of my worst fears, especially as a solo female traveler.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
Images of mythical creatures — goblins, dragons, flying horses — flash behind her.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
Some say the cave system would have connected the goblins from Hopkinsville to Hellier.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goblins
Noun
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Overworked, overtired, snapping at elves — frankly, ‘twas a disaster.—
Lauren Ashley Bishop,
Variety,
4 Jan. 2026
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Last December, Yvette Olazar, a 33-year-old mom of three, had a hunch that her daughter Natalie, who was in 6th grade, had stopped believing in magical elves and Christmas miracles.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Plans include music, magic shows, face painting, stilt walkers, fairies, robots, a giant LED screen showing the ball drop from Times Square and more.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
29 Dec. 2025
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If your favorite writer wishes they could be whisked away to the land of fairies and Björk and neighborhood hot springs, try cutting a large international corner with this bath product straight from the famous Blue Lagoon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
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By 1938, the troupe of dwarves had begun to spend its winters in South Florida.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
25 Dec. 2025
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As kobolds go, Heinzelmann was more harmless than most, going about his business protecting the castle from giants and dwarves and keeping the staff updated on faerie gossip, as well as protecting the chambermaids from unwelcome attentions from visiting noblemen.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Goblins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goblins. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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