as in elves
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers
in Europe, gnomes are thought to guard underground treasure, so that may be why statues of them are commonly placed in gardens
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gnomes
There was a blithe, mildly stoned look in everyone’s eyes, and most of the women were dressed like gnomes while all the men appeared ergonomically outfitted to climb a cliff face but were instead commuting to their office jobs.
—
Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Buyers are going to get a first look at ten international drama series that Series Mania has identified as global hits-in-the-making, with gnomes, Nazis, gamers, fertility clinics and the British PM all in the mix.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
With their tiny fences and cottages, a dozen gnomes stood stiff as if at attention yet looked so happy residing on their brook’s muddy banks.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
In the afternoon, Paint with Pfred will feature spring gnomes for all ages.
—Melissa Grzybowski, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
The stop-motion Harrison has friendly interactions with gnomes, a Venus flytrap, a distinguished-looking oak tree, and even a sentient being who lives in a cave.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Later German statues of gnomes and famous fairytale characters were stationed at points along the trail.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Our love of gnomes is no secret, and a set of ten might just be enough for a holiday fix.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
There's also the light fixtures decorated with gnomes, plaster figurines of knights and other medieval figures, and wrought iron decorations created by Cyril Colnik − whose work also can be seen at Milwaukee's Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum.
—Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Buyers are going to get a first look at ten international drama series that Series Mania has identified as global hits-in-the-making, with gnomes, Nazis, gamers, fertility clinics and the British PM all in the mix.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
With their tiny fences and cottages, a dozen gnomes stood stiff as if at attention yet looked so happy residing on their brook’s muddy banks.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
In the afternoon, Paint with Pfred will feature spring gnomes for all ages.
—Melissa Grzybowski, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
The stop-motion Harrison has friendly interactions with gnomes, a Venus flytrap, a distinguished-looking oak tree, and even a sentient being who lives in a cave.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Later German statues of gnomes and famous fairytale characters were stationed at points along the trail.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Our love of gnomes is no secret, and a set of ten might just be enough for a holiday fix.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
There's also the light fixtures decorated with gnomes, plaster figurines of knights and other medieval figures, and wrought iron decorations created by Cyril Colnik − whose work also can be seen at Milwaukee's Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum.
—Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnomes
Noun
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The puckish figure draws heavily on Nordic fairy tales, including stories of elves.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Mar. 2026
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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
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
“Gnomes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnomes. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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