as in elf
an imaginary being usually having a small human form and magical powers
the metal cobalt gets its name from the medieval Germanic belief that its appearance in silver ore was the handiwork of mischievous, thieving kobolds
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Recent Examples of kobold
But certain kobolds known as drakes may appear as fiery dragons, which can fly through the air like stripes in the sky.
—
Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Monster Vault allows the designers to take a crack at some classic creatures like kobolds, goblins, demons and dragons.
—Rob Wieland, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
This element takes its name from the German word kobelt, signifying kobolds—gnomes and goblins thought to haunt mines.
—Sanjana Curtis, Scientific American, 4 July 2023
The word cobalt comes from the German word kobold, meaning goblin.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 18 Aug. 2022
Otherworldly cities modeled on real ones have been a standby of fantasy, from Superman’s Metropolis through China Miéville’s Un Lun Dun to Michael Swanwick’s Babel, with its haints and kobolds, ethnic politics and human ward-heelers.
—Tom Shippey, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2018
Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Monster Vault allows the designers to take a crack at some classic creatures like kobolds, goblins, demons and dragons.
—Rob Wieland, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
This element takes its name from the German word kobelt, signifying kobolds—gnomes and goblins thought to haunt mines.
—Sanjana Curtis, Scientific American, 4 July 2023
The word cobalt comes from the German word kobold, meaning goblin.
—Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 18 Aug. 2022
Otherworldly cities modeled on real ones have been a standby of fantasy, from Superman’s Metropolis through China Miéville’s Un Lun Dun to Michael Swanwick’s Babel, with its haints and kobolds, ethnic politics and human ward-heelers.
—Tom Shippey, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kobold
Noun
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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,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Jan. 2026
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The film centers on Jonas, a troubled practitioner of magic who assembles a group of companions – including rogue Dagon, elf Nimue and assassin Solomon – to investigate a mysterious corruption spreading through a quiet village in the mystical Realm of Eldervin.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Hey, if Indiana can win a national championship, in part, thanks to NBA billionaire Mark Cuban playing benevolent NIL fairy godfather, then surely the DeVos family — owners of the Orlando Magic — could consider sprinkling a little of that pixie dust on UCF’s NIL program.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
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The novel follows Viola Lockhart, the last living member of house Rosebourne — a family that inherited from its fairy ancestor the ability to magically infuse fragrance to achieve their aims.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The plot follows a young girl who ends up wishing away her baby brother into the goblin labyrinth.—
Lucia Cheng,
Des Moines Register,
14 Jan. 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
-
The ditch that’s up to 19 feet deep dwarfs the heavy machinery inside of it.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Selections available on the market include ‘Pride of Houston’, a medium to tall female shrub with a heavy fruit set, and ‘Schillings Dwarf’, a dwarf selection that grows only 3–4 feet tall and wide.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kobold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kobold. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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