DEMONS Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

demons

noun

variants or daemons

plural of demon

as in ghosts

an evil spirit only in rare cases is the ancient rite of exorcism performed to cast out a troublesome demon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

angels

as in terrors

a source of persistent emotional distress a man who was finally able to conquer his demons and kick his drug habit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 demons In Whalefall, Abrams screams and thrashes with the same vulnerability, and a few more inner demons. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026 No ghosts, ghouls, or demons here, just the evil things that greed makes people do, at least until the little guy starts fighting back. — Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026 The film stays true to the games’ core storyline about Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo), two martial artists who grew up together and try to protect each other from their demons as adults. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026 Kirby Smart is hoping to exorcise some of the Crimson Tide demons that have followed him during his time as the Bulldogs head coach. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 Dracula has been defeated for good, but his castle has plunked itself down in Paris and all sorts of demons — not to mention Joan of Arc — are on the loose. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 Trinity's safe world blows up when reports surface that something is killing both demons and Wardens. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 The cultural demons a 34-year-old playwright was conjuring a century ago rise up as dark reflections for our own. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026 Merry banqueters on the rear wall appeared unaware of the demons crawling up the side wall, as though ready to burst into the chamber itself. — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for demons

Noun

From glittering ghosts, ghastly goblins and wicked witches to wily warlocks, fashion can inspire any Halloween transformation.

— Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2026
There were earlier versions of this story that were openly mocking of Kip, versions that threw Leo under the bus for being too sly; versions that were too overtly political; versions with ghosts that didn’t need to be there, and so on.

— Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of ghosts

Noun

So too did Trump spiritual advisor Paula White-Cain, who compared the president’s torments to those of Jesus.

— Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026
In the face of such grave concerns, Alyoshka’s torments seem self-indulgent and frustrating, but his problem—whether to leave or stay—is far from insignificant.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026

Definition of torments

Noun

Next week, find out how monsters, ghouls and slashers can also mean big bucks.

— Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
The film follows a group of adults in an isolated Pennsylvania farmhouse, as hoards of flesh-eating ghouls overrun the country and infiltrate their residence.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of ghouls

Noun

Unlike ghosts, vampires have physical form and can interact directly with humans; like ghosts, vampires live forever, allowing for a humorous juxtaposition of characters from many points in time in one unhappy household.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
The creators say their gentler take on vampires centers on relationships and family, setting it apart from vampire comedies.

— Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of vampires

Noun

The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to consider whether Congress had the constitutional authority to impose a ban on distilling spirits in private homes more than 150 years ago.

— Michael Kunzelman, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
Jonah himself is remaining positive while keeping his spirits up thanks to the love, support and encouragement of his family, friends and all those doctors and nurses who care so much for him.

— Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of spirits

Noun

When her aunt Helena and paralyzed grandmother Regina arrive, the fragile boundaries between everyday life, ancestral superstition and Trina’s increasingly disturbing nightmares begin to collapse.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Fortuna noted rapid surveys also found that children with at least one immigrant parent are more likely to experience nightmares and higher levels of sadness.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of nightmares

Browse Nearby Words

demonic

demons

demonstrable

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Demons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demons. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of demons

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes