larvae

noun

variants also larvas
plural of larva
as in nymphs
a young wingless often wormlike form (as a grub or caterpillar) that hatches from the egg of many insects the larva looked ugly, but it was destined to hatch into a beautiful butterfly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for larvae
nymphs
Noun
  • The sculptor Berthold Nebel left his mark across Manhattan, from the sea nymphs in the ceilings of the old Cunard Building at the foot of Broadway to the limestone reliefs at the Hispanic Society up on 155th Street.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 July 2026
  • The thick mats cover up the rocky streambed where invertebrates like mayfly nymphs like to live, and instead creates habitats for smaller insects, chironomids and worms.
    — Hannah Smith July 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026
Definition of nymphs
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.

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larva
larvae
lascivious
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Cite this Entry

“Larvae.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/larvae. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on larvae

Nglish: Translation of larvae for Spanish Speakers

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