as in fairies
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers
elves are often portrayed as rather mischievous
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elves
The puckish figure draws heavily on Nordic fairy tales, including stories of elves.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 24 Mar. 2026
Not as great of a kids’ parade as the one at Christmas with elves and Santa Claus and toys and snowmen.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The theft follows a similar incident in December, when members of the same group flooded into a Montreal grocery store dressed as Santa Clause and his elves, stealing food and leaving some of it gift-wrapped under a nearby Christmas tree.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
One of Magnason’s first jobs was at the National Archives of Iceland, where he was surrounded by books about the old Norse gods, colonial histories, and even stories about elves.
—Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2026
Sets like Hobbiton and Rivendell (a home for some elves) are breathtaking, the makeup and prosthetics of the orcs still terrifying, and the costumes ethereal and otherworldly.
—Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026
Overworked, overtired, snapping at elves — frankly, ‘twas a disaster.
—Lauren Ashley Bishop, Variety, 4 Jan. 2026
Last December, Yvette Olazar, a 33-year-old mom of three, had a hunch that her daughter Natalie, who was in 6th grade, had stopped believing in magical elves and Christmas miracles.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
What music do Santa’s elves like the best?
—Fiona Tapp, Parents, 23 Dec. 2025
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 24 Mar. 2026
Not as great of a kids’ parade as the one at Christmas with elves and Santa Claus and toys and snowmen.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The theft follows a similar incident in December, when members of the same group flooded into a Montreal grocery store dressed as Santa Clause and his elves, stealing food and leaving some of it gift-wrapped under a nearby Christmas tree.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
One of Magnason’s first jobs was at the National Archives of Iceland, where he was surrounded by books about the old Norse gods, colonial histories, and even stories about elves.
—Marya E. Gates, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2026
Sets like Hobbiton and Rivendell (a home for some elves) are breathtaking, the makeup and prosthetics of the orcs still terrifying, and the costumes ethereal and otherworldly.
—Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026
Overworked, overtired, snapping at elves — frankly, ‘twas a disaster.
—Lauren Ashley Bishop, Variety, 4 Jan. 2026
Last December, Yvette Olazar, a 33-year-old mom of three, had a hunch that her daughter Natalie, who was in 6th grade, had stopped believing in magical elves and Christmas miracles.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
What music do Santa’s elves like the best?
—Fiona Tapp, Parents, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elves
Noun
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The exhibit was first conceived in 2018 by Tracy Micciche, the gardens’ events and marketing director, because her daughter, then 14, had an interest in fairies.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
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According to the History Channel, one legend claims wearing green makes a person invisible to leprechauns — red-bearded fairies that would pinch people who weren’t wearing the color.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This one just happens to involve wizards, goblins, and one savage, half-blind dragon.—
Séamas O'Reilly,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
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Henson was cast as Hoggle, one of the film’s most prominent goblins and Sarah’s reluctant ally, while also managing puppeteering responsibilities behind the scenes.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Dodgers’ $850-million annual revenue dwarfs competitors like the Diamondbacks at $324 million, exemplifying the financial gulf driving owners’ desire for cost controls.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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Beyond rock and ice The finding of L 98-59 d challenges the long-standing astronomical belief that small exoplanets must be either gas dwarfs or water worlds covered in ice and oceans.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elves. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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