ghoul

noun

ˈgül How to pronounce ghoul (audio)
Synonyms of ghoulnext
1
: a legendary evil being that robs graves and feeds on corpses
2
: one suggestive of a ghoul
especially : one who shows morbid interest in things considered shocking or repulsive

Synonyms of ghoul

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Examples of ghoul in a Sentence

in Arabic folklore, ghouls could change their shapes but had one unchanging feature: donkey's hooves for feet
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Gemma even winds up having to give a teeth cleaning to one of the silent, creepy ghouls pursuing her. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 Practicality Viewers know Walton Goggins’ Cooper Howard as a ghoul because of radiation from a bomb dropped in 2077. — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026 Algol relates to the Arabic al-ghül, which signifies demon or ghoul. — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026 Night of the Living Dead centers all the action at a farmhouse, where seven people attempt to ward off the ghouls — without any prior knowledge of how to do so. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ghoul

Word History

Etymology

Arabic ghūl

First Known Use

1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ghoul was in 1721

Rhymes for ghoul

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Browse Nearby Words

ghosty
ghoul
ghoulie
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ghoul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ghoul. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ghoul

noun
ˈgül How to pronounce ghoul (audio)
1
: an evil being of legend that robs graves and feeds on corpses
2
: a person (as a grave robber) whose activities suggest those of a ghoul
ghoulish
ˈgü-lish How to pronounce ghoul (audio)
adjective
ghoulishly adverb
ghoulishness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ghoul

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ghoul

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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