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
The garden gnomes have been another hot seller.
—
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
The gnomes have become wildly popular — and increasingly valuable — over the last decade.
—CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Masters gnomes are a hot commodity over fears this is their final year.
—Jackie Powell, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
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
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
The gnomes have become wildly popular — and increasingly valuable — over the last decade.
—CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Masters gnomes are a hot commodity over fears this is their final year.
—Jackie Powell, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gnomes
Noun
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The company behind that trio of elves, some of the most iconic mascots in pop culture, is the same corporation that put breakfast on the table in the first place.—
Heather Bushman,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The puckish figure draws heavily on Nordic fairy tales, including stories of elves.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The original is set in an Australian rainforest populated by fairies, one of whom accidentally shrinks a logger to fairy size.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2026
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Woodland fairies carrying giant daffodils or wearing hats covered in mushrooms.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Separate system prompt instructions for earlier models contained in the same JSON file do not contain the specific prohibition against mentioning goblins and other creatures, suggesting OpenAI is fighting a new problem that has popped up in its latest model release.—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
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Big money, uneven returns Steyer’s spending dwarfs every other candidate.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Look for taller varieties and avoid dwarfs.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gnomes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gnomes. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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