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
  • Both whitefly nymphs and adults damage plants by sucking juices from new growth, causing stunted growth and yellowing foliage.
    Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
  • The singer, who’s also the men’s creative director at Louis Vuitton, originally launched the line last May; now he’s expanded its offerings with pieces that hark back to the sea, basing the pieces on mermaids’ and nymphs’ tears of pearls.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2024
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
  • In addition to the most incredible vintage Jean Paul Gaultier pull, Chappell’s iconic voluminous mermaid waves were the perfect cherry on top to her most glamorous look yet.
    Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 3 Feb. 2025
  • As the omen begins to descend onto Karen’s house, the hairs of the mermaids’ arms stand up; their scales twitch in fear.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2024
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 22 Feb. 2025.

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