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Chthonic might seem a lofty and learned word, but it's actually pretty down-to-earth in its origin and meaning. It comes from chthōn, which means "earth" in Greek, and it is associated with things that dwell in or under the earth. It is most commonly used in discussions of mythology, particularly underworld mythology. Hades and Persephone, who reign over the underworld in Greek mythology, might be called "chthonic deities," for example. Chthonic has broader applications, too. It can be used to describe something that resembles a mythological underworld (e.g., "chthonic darkness"), and it is sometimes used to describe earthly or natural things, as opposed to those that are elevated or celestial.
Examples of chthonic in a Sentence
Caroline A. Jones,
Artforum,
1 Nov. 2025
Greek myths feature dozens of chthonic divinities and forces.
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Lewis Hyde,
Harpers Magazine,
18 June 2025
But Lloyd is less interested in the specifics of either work than in the chthonic rage underneath.
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Helen Shaw,
The New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2024
And no one suffers quite like the True Believer; surrendering to optimism is an invitation for chthonic forces to start doling out a whole lot of emotional rump puntings.
—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
16 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Chthonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chthonic. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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