as in elf
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers
the metal cobalt gets its name from the medieval Germanic belief that its appearance in silver ore was the handiwork of mischievous, thieving kobolds
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Recent Examples of kobold
Monster Vault allows the designers to take a crack at some classic creatures like kobolds, goblins, demons and dragons.
—
Rob Wieland, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
This element takes its name from the German word kobelt, signifying kobolds—gnomes and goblins thought to haunt mines.
—Sanjana Curtis, Scientific American, 4 July 2023
The word cobalt comes from the German word kobold, meaning goblin.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 18 Aug. 2022
Otherworldly cities modeled on real ones have been a standby of fantasy, from Superman’s Metropolis through China Miéville’s Un Lun Dun to Michael Swanwick’s Babel, with its haints and kobolds, ethnic politics and human ward-heelers.
—Tom Shippey, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2018
Rob Wieland, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
This element takes its name from the German word kobelt, signifying kobolds—gnomes and goblins thought to haunt mines.
—Sanjana Curtis, Scientific American, 4 July 2023
The word cobalt comes from the German word kobold, meaning goblin.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 18 Aug. 2022
Otherworldly cities modeled on real ones have been a standby of fantasy, from Superman’s Metropolis through China Miéville’s Un Lun Dun to Michael Swanwick’s Babel, with its haints and kobolds, ethnic politics and human ward-heelers.
—Tom Shippey, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kobold
Noun
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The box covers the most popular classes and ancestries such as humans, elves, dwarves and halflings.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Four years later, the mischievous elf with pointy ears and a toothy grin made its leap to collectible toy thanks to China’s Pop Mart.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The space, outfitted with rugs, colorful beanbags, fairy lights, books and sensory activities, is open to all students during recess and used for counseling groups and one-on-one sessions during the day.—
Hanna Kang,
Oc Register,
8 Sep. 2025
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Pair the duo with fairy lights, a thin linen runner, and more faux foliage to create a stunning seasonal scene.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Tasked with solving Jareth’s labyrinth to secure Toby’s safety, Sarah races against time to defeat the goblin’s trickster army.—
Declan Gallagher,
EW.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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This simple act of kindness helps spread the Halloween spirit to all the little goblins and ghosts.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Oxygenic photosynthesis might be just out of reach on a planet closely orbiting an M-dwarf, says Duffy.—
Bruce Dorminey,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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In the winter, the dwarf conifers will be the star of the show.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And thank the faeries for that.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
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The Unseelie Court is the bastion of malevolent faeries who harm humans for their amusement or to exact revenge.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
27 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Kobold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kobold. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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