dryads

plural of dryad
as in nymphs
a mythical goddess represented as a young girl and said to live outdoors dryads were said to live within trees, their lives ending when the life of the tree ended

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 dryads In the final novel of the series, The Last Battle, the destruction of trees and dryads in Lantern Waste, a place tied to the creation of Narnia itself, is one of many portentous omens signalling the end of the world. Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dryads
Noun
  • Mayflies lay up to 10,000 eggs in the water, and their nymphs can't survive in water that is polluted.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 June 2026
  • Pale yellowish flakes may be shed skins from growing nymphs.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • Long ago, Levi and Vega, children of the fearsome captain of the Sea Dragon, grow up on tales of daring seafaring exploits, but there are stories they haven't been told — stories about witches, mermaids and magical maps.
    Sarah Kate Ellis, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
  • In the lagoon room, see more mermaids!
    Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dryads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dryads. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!