goblin

noun

ˈgä-blən How to pronounce goblin (audio)
Definition of goblinnext
as in fairy
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers dressed up the toddlers like goblins for Halloween

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 goblin Follow the babe with the power into Jim Henson’s gloriously weird fantasy wonderland, where goblins sing, doors argue, and David Bowie’s Goblin King serves enough glam-rock charisma to power an entire kingdom. — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 24 June 2026 After all, everyone's inner goblin comes out eventually. — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 15 June 2026 The scientists only got a passing glimpse of the goblin shark before the lights and loud noise from the ROV's motor scared it away, Auscavitch told ABC News. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 12 June 2026 Researchers with the Minderoo-UWA Deep-Sea Research Center found video of a deep-sea goblin shark in its natural environment in 2024 in the Pacific Ocean's Tonga Trench. — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for goblin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goblin
  1. fairy
  2. elf
  3. dwarf
Noun
  • At a party one night, struggling musician Owen strikes a connection with a young woman (Sadie Soverall) that feels downright magical — she’s even dressed as a fairy, emphasizing the dreaminess of the moment.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The song ‘Enchanted’ is about falling in love and that sort of glittery, twinkly fairy lights feeling.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of fairy
Noun
  • Elf Once again, the sphynx was crossed with another breed, this time the American Curl, to create the elf’s distinct look.
    — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Yes, there were moments of humor, such as getting magic potions around the campfire at the end of each stage by whacking helpless little elves, but most of it was played straight, to great effect.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of elf
Noun
  • The image, captured a year earlier by the Hubble Space Telescope, showed UGC 9050-Dw1, a dwarf galaxy some 115 million light-years from Earth.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Watching all ten members sing at once is funny the way the seven dwarves all sleeping in their little beds next to each other is funny.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of dwarf

Browse Nearby Words

goblets
goblin
goblins
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Cite this Entry

“Goblin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goblin. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on goblin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about goblin

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