1
as in snakes
a limbless reptile with a long body
an Aztec carving of a feathered serpent representing the god Quetzalcoatl
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in traitors
one who betrays a trust or an allegiance
a serpent in their midst had betrayed the revolutionaries to the authorities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of serpents
Those serpents include six rattlesnake species and non-rattlers, such as the Copperhead, Water Moccasin (or Cottonmouth) and Eastern Coral snakes.
—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Laocoön and His Sons, an exquisite marble sculpture of the legendary Trojan priest writhing in agony as he’s attacked by sea-serpents, was first unearthed in the early sixteenth-century, the only missing piece his right arm.
—
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
Were a lot of serpents biting people in those days.
—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Frenzied shapes—sparks, ribbons, spirals, glyphs, shadowy crosses, serpents—float among them through an undefined ether, as if transmitting cryptic information.
—
Alice Gregory,
New Yorker,
16 Nov. 2025
The range of the monster drawings included primitive people, giant spiders, serpents, snails and fantastical fish.
—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Laocoön and His Sons, an exquisite marble sculpture of the legendary Trojan priest writhing in agony as he’s attacked by sea-serpents, was first unearthed in the early sixteenth-century, the only missing piece his right arm.
—
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
Were a lot of serpents biting people in those days.
—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Frenzied shapes—sparks, ribbons, spirals, glyphs, shadowy crosses, serpents—float among them through an undefined ether, as if transmitting cryptic information.
—
Alice Gregory,
New Yorker,
16 Nov. 2025
The range of the monster drawings included primitive people, giant spiders, serpents, snails and fantastical fish.
—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serpents
Noun
-
The center offers visitors the chance to see and learn about native wildlife, including baby alligators, turtles, and snakes, among other creatures.
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The snakes were in containers that had their names and illustrations on the side.
Noun
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Keep your actual and suspected traitors closer – the non-loyal, uncommitted, secretive, suspicious, dishonest, deceitful, chronically negative, and regularly undermining.
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Both groups were accused of being spies, traitors and collaborators, according to the report.
Noun
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The poison of vipers is on their lips—and yet stop.
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Dangerous reptiles like cobras, mambas, vipers, anacondas and rattlesnakes are all banned from private ownership.
Cite this Entry
“Serpents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serpents. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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