1
as in nymph
a mythical goddess represented as a young girl and said to live outdoors
in Greek mythology, naiads supposedly drowned the young men with whom they became enamored
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of naiad
Today, the naiads frolic in water that is periodically drained for cleaning and maintenance.
—
David Laskin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024
And now, as played with fierce physicality and grueling commitment by Annette Bening, Diana is a movie character: an impossible person who achieved the impossible, a naiad whose truer mythological counterpart might be Narcissus.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023
Leighton set his youthful figure — a classical nymph or naiad — in a Mediterranean setting.
—Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2022
The lovely Arcadia region, lush with cypress, poplar, and olive groves, bears traces of the virgin wilderness where nymphs, naiads, and the horned god Pan once frolicked.
—Thomas Linkel, National Geographic, 18 July 2019
David Laskin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024
And now, as played with fierce physicality and grueling commitment by Annette Bening, Diana is a movie character: an impossible person who achieved the impossible, a naiad whose truer mythological counterpart might be Narcissus.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023
Leighton set his youthful figure — a classical nymph or naiad — in a Mediterranean setting.
—Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2022
The lovely Arcadia region, lush with cypress, poplar, and olive groves, bears traces of the virgin wilderness where nymphs, naiads, and the horned god Pan once frolicked.
—Thomas Linkel, National Geographic, 18 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naiad
Noun
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Jo Sunday is like a forest nymph plucked out of an idyllic wood and thrown onto a Gowanus stage.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
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In Ovid’s version of the story, after cutting down a sacred oak, Erysichthon is cursed with insatiable hunger by the dryad nymph who inhabited it.—
Ellen Walker,
JSTOR Daily,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The parasitic flies produce larva that feed on living tissue, typically that of animals and livestock.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
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Screwworm is actually a fly that gets its name from how its larva infects a host.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Maritime Festival, with its ship battles, pirate village and breakfasts with mermaids, routinely draws thousands to Dana Point Harbor.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
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Sánchez's corseted, mermaid-style wedding dress was custom-made by Dolce & Gabbana and featured hand-appliquéd Italian lace, per Vogue.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In Ovid’s version of the story, after cutting down a sacred oak, Erysichthon is cursed with insatiable hunger by the dryad nymph who inhabited it.—
Ellen Walker,
JSTOR Daily,
3 Sep. 2025
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Having regained his health, Geralt heads off with Jaskier and the dryad Milva to find Ciri, following a little skirmish with some power-mad guards.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
27 July 2023
Cite this Entry
“Naiad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naiad. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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