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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gremlin
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
The good news is, the inner critic, like a gremlin, is tameable.
—Sohee Jun, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
The dust has settled, though, and the sample-size gremlins are chewing on fewer and fewer things.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Some gremlins can be unraveled with linear problem-solving, a prowess possessed by AI.
—Chip Bell, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gremlin
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
The good news is, the inner critic, like a gremlin, is tameable.
—Sohee Jun, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
The dust has settled, though, and the sample-size gremlins are chewing on fewer and fewer things.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Some gremlins can be unraveled with linear problem-solving, a prowess possessed by AI.
—Chip Bell, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gremlin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gremlin
Noun
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From dreamy fairy shimmer that feels perfect for date night, to sultry wine tones that look just right wrapped around a glass of merlot at Sunday dinner, these nails are setting the mood for the season.—
Essence,
Essence,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Incurring the wrath of the fairy folk for spilling milk, that’s what.—
Lincee Ray Published,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, the virtuous, near-immortal elves of Lothlórien are depicted living peacefully in a realm of lush flora and elaborate tree-houses.—
Ellen Walker,
JSTOR Daily,
3 Sep. 2025
-
This time it was set in a fantasy world where the player controls an elf whose race is fighting off hordes of otherworldly monsters.—
Joshua Lamb,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Leigh Gill is set to play Griphook, after his brief appearance as another goblin, Red, in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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At their largest, Orchestina goblin spiders are about one-tenth of an inch long — smaller than a grain of rice.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Later, of course, it was revealed that a quite human dwarf was hidden within the machine, directing the Turk’s gameplay.—
Adam Verner
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
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The shrub grows 6 to 15 feet tall; there are dwarf, medium-sized, and tall varieties.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gremlin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gremlin. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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