as in girl
a young unmarried woman
knights are celebrated in fairy tales for rescuing damsels in distress
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 damsel
A little over a decade ago, actresses in these kind of movies were handcuffed to the role of the damsel in distress.
—
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Not for one second does Lepard’s script reduce Zephyr to a mere damsel in distress.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 17 May 2025
Sittin there trapped in a tower like the damsel that failed.
—Sidik Fofana, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
And Matt Murdock can’t be a damsel in distress or anything close to it for too long.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damsel
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Not for one second does Lepard’s script reduce Zephyr to a mere damsel in distress.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 17 May 2025
Sittin there trapped in a tower like the damsel that failed.
—Sidik Fofana, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
And Matt Murdock can’t be a damsel in distress or anything close to it for too long.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for damsel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for damsel
Noun
-
Instead, the French prefer a form-fitting (not skin-tight) look like this flattering knit midi dress from Parisian cool-girl label Rouje.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Sep. 2025
-
So massive thanks to the guys and girls.—
Alex Harrington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For Burna Boy, his maiden top 10 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs comes via his second appearance.—
Trevor Anderson,
Billboard,
17 Sep. 2025
-
American teen Iva Jovic became the youngest champion on the women’s tennis tour this season after the 17-year-old won her maiden singles title at the Guadalajara Open.—
Manasi Pathak,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When Davina goes out to fetch her, Julia is worried that Lovat is going to try the ol’ sneak-attack-wedding maneuver, but the maid reassures her that’s not the case.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Chastain portrayed Celia Foote in the drama based on Kathryn Stockett's novel of the same name about a white journalist chronicling the lives of Black maids working for white households in 1960s Mississippi.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Damsel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/damsel. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share