as in fairies
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 gremlins
Don’t let fear of your inner gremlins stop you from self-work to uplevel your life.
—
Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
Don’t let fear of your inner gremlins stop you from self-work to level up your life.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Of course, chaos ensues when those rules are broken, unleashing a horde of mischievous, destructive gremlins on his small town.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 22 Dec. 2025
The notion of gremlins was first conceived during the 1920s when mechanical failures in Royal Air Force aircraft were jokingly blamed on the small monsters.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
Other old-car issues, such as gremlins impacting the electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and exhaust systems, are ongoing considerations.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
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
Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
Don’t let fear of your inner gremlins stop you from self-work to level up your life.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Of course, chaos ensues when those rules are broken, unleashing a horde of mischievous, destructive gremlins on his small town.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 22 Dec. 2025
The notion of gremlins was first conceived during the 1920s when mechanical failures in Royal Air Force aircraft were jokingly blamed on the small monsters.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
Other old-car issues, such as gremlins impacting the electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and exhaust systems, are ongoing considerations.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gremlins
Noun
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The exhibit was first conceived in 2018 by Tracy Micciche, the gardens’ events and marketing director, because her daughter, then 14, had an interest in fairies.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
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According to the History Channel, one legend claims wearing green makes a person invisible to leprechauns — red-bearded fairies that would pinch people who weren’t wearing the color.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The puckish figure draws heavily on Nordic fairy tales, including stories of elves.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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This one just happens to involve wizards, goblins, and one savage, half-blind dragon.—
Séamas O'Reilly,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Gremlins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gremlins. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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