as in demon
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 incubus
Your fame sits beside you like an incubus, and people are embarrassed and want to leave the room.
—
Candace Bushnell, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2025
This meaning is visualized in Henry Fuseli’s 1781 painting The Nightmare, which shows a woman sleeping peacefully on a couch while a nauseating monster—an incubus—sits portentously on her abdomen, unbeknownst to her.
—Time, 28 Dec. 2022
As Tommy’s experiences in the tunnels of France mark a continued incubus for his character, with visions of being pulled into the mud, the sounding of the bell coincides with his own inner peace.
—Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 13 June 2022
An incubus is the male variety (and also that band).
—Angie Jones, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2022
Candace Bushnell, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2025
This meaning is visualized in Henry Fuseli’s 1781 painting The Nightmare, which shows a woman sleeping peacefully on a couch while a nauseating monster—an incubus—sits portentously on her abdomen, unbeknownst to her.
—Time, 28 Dec. 2022
As Tommy’s experiences in the tunnels of France mark a continued incubus for his character, with visions of being pulled into the mud, the sounding of the bell coincides with his own inner peace.
—Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 13 June 2022
An incubus is the male variety (and also that band).
—Angie Jones, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incubus
Noun
-
And some of the mistakes are of actual blood on his hands, and he’s got demons floating around in his soul, as well as on the ceiling or climbing the walls or whatever.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2025
-
There are extravagant rock concerts, evil giant babies, fiery demons, and of course, the odd robot as well.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The computer daemon operates in a similar manner, continuously working behind the scenes to keep processes going and to address service requests.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2024
-
Yet in their original form gremlins are alive and well, living under new names—daemons, worms, virtual pets.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Our ears are still ringing from watching fans become shrieking banshees upon realizing that one of her professional dancers was actually the NFL star.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
7 Dec. 2024
-
Does that explain why the Banshee label doesn’t depict an actual banshee?—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes,
20 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
The ghouls who did this should be ashamed.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Check out the Halloween decoration ideas below and get ready to unleash your inner ghoul.—
Maria Correa,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
To combat such phantoms, Georgian Dream has passed new legislation that criminalizes assembly and protest.—
Anastasiya Zavyalova,
The Conversation,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Kevin Willard’s team had to confront the phantom that had haunted it through a quartet of Big Ten heartbreakers.—
Childs Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The before-and-after pictures still astound: a skeletal wraith on the left, a rosy-cheeked child on the right.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
27 May 2015
-
Agatha is also being pursued by her ex, Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), a powerful green witch, as well as the Salem Seven, vengeful wraiths of Agatha's first coven.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
24 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Combining animation and live action, the film continues the adventures of the magical imp Pumuckl.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2025
-
The son is his father’s fiendish double, an antic, self-loathing imp who, loudly proclaiming his adoration of Eli-Leizer, makes a mockery of him.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
As backlash to Tesla and Musk grows, the White House is doubling down on its defense of the company and the richest person in the world, who has become a bogeyman for the administration as critics blame him for the government overhaul.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Keynes, the seminal advocate of government intervention in times of economic unrest, was a longtime bogeyman for small-government conservatives.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
The New Yorker,
2 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Incubus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incubus. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share