plural sphinxes or sphinges
ˈsfin-ˌjēz 
1
a
capitalized
: a winged female monster in Greek mythology having a woman's head and a lion's body and noted for killing anyone unable to answer its riddle
b
: an enigmatic or mysterious person
she is a sphinx whose features hold a blank fascination
2
: an ancient Egyptian image in the form of a recumbent lion having a man's head, a ram's head, or a hawk's head
Examples of sphinx in a Sentence
a statue of the Sphinx
Recent Examples on the Web
Some of the most common positions cats assume when sitting down include the loaf position, the frog pose, the half loaf, the sphinx position, and the shoulder sit, among others.
—
Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024
The animal and human meets meanwhile in the 4th century BCE work Allée des sphinx (Sphinx Alley).
—Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Cheng was struck at how the public shrines in both countries—elephants, sphinxes, buddhas—were anonymously authored and incorporated into civic life in the utilitarian manner of a park bench or a table.
—Louis Bury, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
One breed that does need the occasional bath is the sphinx, which, according to an article by Pango Vet, medically reviewed by Dr. Nia Perkins, needs help removing dirt and oils from their skin every now and then.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
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Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024
The animal and human meets meanwhile in the 4th century BCE work Allée des sphinx (Sphinx Alley).
—Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Cheng was struck at how the public shrines in both countries—elephants, sphinxes, buddhas—were anonymously authored and incorporated into civic life in the utilitarian manner of a park bench or a table.
—Louis Bury, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
One breed that does need the occasional bath is the sphinx, which, according to an article by Pango Vet, medically reviewed by Dr. Nia Perkins, needs help removing dirt and oils from their skin every now and then.
—Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sphinx
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Cite this Entry
“Sphinx.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sphinx. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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sphinx
noun
plural sphinxes or sphinges
ˈsfin-ˌjēz
: an ancient Egyptian image having the body of a lion and the head of a man, ram, or hawk
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