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naiad

noun

ˈnā-əd How to pronounce naiad (audio)
Definition of naiadnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in larva
a young wingless often wormlike form (as a grub or caterpillar) that hatches from the egg of many insects students in science class learning how to distinguish a dragonfly naiad from an earthworm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
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 Leighton set his youthful figure — a classical nymph or naiad — in a Mediterranean setting. — Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naiad
  1. nymph
  2. larva
  3. mermaid
  4. dryad
Noun
  • Juveniles, known as nymphs, which resemble small, wingless black and red beetles with white spots, are found in the early summer, with adults, characterized by gray to brown outer wings with black spots, emerging in late summer.
    — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • After the eggs hatch, the young dragonflies, called nymphs, live underwater for at least six months and for up to five years for some species.
    — Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of nymph
Noun
  • Once the tarantula has been consumed, the larva spins a cocoon and pupates into a mature wasp in two to three weeks.
    — Sean Donnelly, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Most individuals in each group begin life as a free-swimming trochophore larva.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of larva
Noun
  • The mermaid headboard was also created by Friday, who strung the fish-string lights too.
    — Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The gown was a mermaid style, meaning the skirt flared out, creating a mermaid tail look.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of mermaid
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
  • 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
Definition of dryad

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nags
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naiads
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Cite this Entry

“Naiad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naiad. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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