gremlin

noun

ˈgrem-lən How to pronounce gremlin (audio)
Definition of gremlinnext
as in fairy
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers during the World Wars, fighter pilots adopted the fanciful notion that gremlins were responsible for mechanical failures on their planes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 gremlin Of course, chaos ensues when those rules are broken, unleashing a horde of mischievous, destructive gremlins on his small town. — Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 22 Dec. 2025 My current gremlin is that the mic on my Logitech Brio webcam doesn’t always transmit sound. — Nathan Edwards, The Verge, 26 Apr. 2026 Rather, those little, unseen gremlins just proliferate in silence. — Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 24 June 2026 In recent weeks, social media users, especially on X, have been noticing increasing references to goblins, along with other fantasy creatures such as gremlins, ogres and trolls in ChatGPT’s answers to user queries. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gremlin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gremlin
  1. fairy
  2. elf
  3. goblin
  4. dwarf
Noun
  • Indulge in a little whimsy with this manicure that’s fit for a garden fairy.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 23 June 2026
  • Meander through a lush, fairy-worthy tapestry of ivy and narrow pathways forged throughout the B&B's history.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 June 2026
Definition of fairy
Noun
  • Ferrell starred as Buddy in the 2003 Christmas classic, which focused on a human adopted by elves and raised as an elf in the North Pole until one day, as an adult, discovering his true identity.
    — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
  • At the end of 2005-2006, a whole host of elves got arrested and were sent to prison.
    — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
Definition of elf
Noun
  • Two years ago, the Man City phenom appeared in a 90-second spot for the game that saw him get recruited to storm a castle teeming with goblins, dragons and impish skeletons.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 June 2026
  • Follow the babe with the power into Jim Henson’s gloriously weird fantasy wonderland, where goblins sing, doors argue, and David Bowie’s Goblin King serves enough glam-rock charisma to power an entire kingdom.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 24 June 2026
Definition of goblin
Noun
  • For pots, look for dwarf zinnia varieties that won’t require staking.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • As virality goes, this is not a big number, but the passion that the account has aroused dwarfs its reach.
    — David Kamp, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of dwarf

Browse Nearby Words

gregariousness
gremlin
gremlins
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on gremlin

Nglish: Translation of gremlin for Spanish Speakers

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