as in fairy
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers
during the World Wars, fighter pilots adopted the fanciful notion that gremlins were responsible for mechanical failures on their planes
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 gremlin
The colorful gremlins were often paired with bag charms, Trendalytics said saw 247 percent growth year-over-year.
—
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
The popularity of the petite gremlins has spawned fakes.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 Aug. 2025
With the ability to duplicate and turn into the titular monstrous creatures, the gremlins begin terrorizing Billy’s small town.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 July 2025
As mechanized as a race — or a movie — can feel, success or failure hinge on the human element, the hero battling the gremlins in the machine.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gremlin
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
The popularity of the petite gremlins has spawned fakes.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 Aug. 2025
With the ability to duplicate and turn into the titular monstrous creatures, the gremlins begin terrorizing Billy’s small town.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 July 2025
As mechanized as a race — or a movie — can feel, success or failure hinge on the human element, the hero battling the gremlins in the machine.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gremlin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gremlin
Noun
-
Dressed as a hot pink fairy, Alexa Bowers brought a drawing of Roan to give to the pop star.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Her perky protagonist notably navigated a romantic relationship with vampire Bill Compton and explored the roots of her own fairy ancestry.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And all these dwarves and elves and humans go, ‘What?—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The special will be made available on Disney+ the following day, and the elves will head to ABC’s shelves later in the season.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
And all these dwarves and elves and humans go, ‘What?—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025
-
These two dwarf galaxies orbit the Milky Way at distances of 163,000 and 200,000 light-years, respectively, moving through our galaxy's outer halo of hot gas not too dissimilar, but on a much smaller scale, from the Virgo Cluster's halo of hot gas.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gremlin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gremlin. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share