1
as in snake
a limbless reptile with a long body
an Aztec carving of a feathered serpent representing the god Quetzalcoatl
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2
3
as in traitor
one who betrays a trust or an allegiance
a serpent in their midst had betrayed the revolutionaries to the authorities
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of serpent
At the Mayan site Chichen Itza in Mexico, people gather during the equinox to watch the sun create a shadow pattern that resembles a serpent descending a pyramid called El Castillo.
—
ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
If this animal sounds like a Burmese python, that’s because the serpent-like fish — known as Asian swamp eels — have a lot in common with the big, invasive constrictors.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Mar. 2026
Sightings of mythical creatures in Rhode Island are far and few between these days, but a giant serpent that supposedly once lived in the woods of present-day Coventry is the subject of enduring local lore.
—Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Except every Eden contains a serpent, and this one’s viper is particularly venomous.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serpent
ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
If this animal sounds like a Burmese python, that’s because the serpent-like fish — known as Asian swamp eels — have a lot in common with the big, invasive constrictors.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Mar. 2026
Sightings of mythical creatures in Rhode Island are far and few between these days, but a giant serpent that supposedly once lived in the woods of present-day Coventry is the subject of enduring local lore.
—Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
Except every Eden contains a serpent, and this one’s viper is particularly venomous.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serpent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serpent
Noun
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According to San Diego County, snake sightings are up across the region due to warmer-than-usual weather in March.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Unseen are the several private viewing rooms, offices, and work spaces that secretly snake through the guts.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Comedy Central series' new episode, which aired Wednesday, continued its season-long thread of mocking Trump and depicting him in a romantic relationship with Satan.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
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The show continues to run with its gag of depicting Trump with comically small genitals and as Satan’s lover.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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As the castle’s internal order collapses under the weight of a string of baffling crimes, Araki strikes a fragile alliance with Kuroda Kanbei – a razor-minded captive languishing in his own dungeon – in a race to root out a traitor before Oda’s army closes in.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
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In the context of his time, Jesus was considered a traitor — an enemy of the Roman Empire.—
Michael J Christensen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Dangerous reptiles like cobras, mambas, vipers, anacondas and rattlesnakes are all banned from private ownership.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
7 Apr. 2026
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Once revived, the viper immediately bites the farmer.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While the movie has some fun asking whether people actually want to know everything about their partners (a devil’s bargain since time immemorial), its real interest lies in how that knowledge is colored by who shares it.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
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Its theme — that the rich are different, and in not-good ways — meant she’d be forced into a ritualistic game of hide-and-seek, running for her life from her devil-worshipping, masters-of-the-world in-laws.—
Michael Ordoña,
Houston Chronicle,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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It’s been three years since Spoon’s last album, Lucifer on the Sofa.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
26 Aug. 2025
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Griffin’s other credits include The Bad Guy, Jersey Boys, Lucifer and S.W.A.T., to name just a few.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Serpent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serpent. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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