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

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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

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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 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
Noun
  • 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
  • The re-inspection resulted in the closure and red placard being upheld after inspectors found eight live German and Turkistan cockroaches throughout the facility, plus seven dead and dying nymph cockroaches.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Most individuals in each group begin life as a free-swimming trochophore larva.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The flesh-eating New World Screwworm is the parasitic larva that emerges from eggs laid by flies in the open wounds or body openings of warm-blooded animals and humans, with untreated cases potentially leading to severe injury or death.
    Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Called a mermaid’s purse because of its shape and size, the zebra shark egg’s translucence revealed an embryo.
    Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Saturday, utilizes 56,000 square feet of indoor space to host more than 200 vendors, sword-fighting, costume contests, live musicians, mermaids, fairies and photo ops.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Naiad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naiad. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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