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 And now, as played with fierce physicality and grueling commitment by Annette Bening, Diana is a movie character: an impossible person who achieved the impossible, a naiad whose truer mythological counterpart might be Narcissus. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023 Leighton set his youthful figure — a classical nymph or naiad — in a Mediterranean setting. Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2022 The lovely Arcadia region, lush with cypress, poplar, and olive groves, bears traces of the virgin wilderness where nymphs, naiads, and the horned god Pan once frolicked. Thomas Linkel, National Geographic, 18 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naiad
Noun
  • Cicada nymphs and exoskeletons will litter the ground.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Asian citrus psyllid adults, nymphs and eggs on new citrus leaves.
    Suzy Khimm, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Ophiocordyceps sinensis fungus is a parasite that targets the caterpillar that is the larva of the ghost moth.
    Daile Zhang, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
  • The worm is the larva of a metallic blue-green fly that spends the early part of its life cycle devouring the living flesh of mammals.
    Geraldine Castro, WIRED, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Here mermaids swim underwater, joined by manatees, turtles, and fish—and visitors can have a front-row seat to it all.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Mel is unsettled when Hazel opens a birthday card that came in the mail, accompanied by a slightly lascivious drawing of a mermaid.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Merlin and Cosmo are both in their 30s, with dark curly hair and similarly rangy builds, though Merlin’s face is more delicate, as though a distant ancestor might have been part elf or dryad.
    Jennifer Kahn, New York Times, 8 June 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Naiad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naiad. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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