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fiend

fiend

15 8.8
An evil spirit that people believe harms others in stories
  • noun
  • /fiːnd/
  • Literature
translation icon : demonio
  • I knew now that I had created a fiend.
  • fiends from hell
  • foul fiend
  • bloodsucking fiend

Examples

  • In the dark of the forest, an evil fiend whispered wicked thoughts to the lost travelers.

  • 'A vampire like myself, 'a living fiend.'

  • - As a fiend incarnate.

  • If the creature they had captured was a fiend from Hell itself, he could pull them all screaming to perdition.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • If we are overtaken by those fiends from the North and they find us with this boy, they will kill us all.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • We will put our trust in Thee alone, so may we withstand unharmed the talons of the fiend.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The Indians appear only briefly, announced by "The fiend is upon us!" and figuring as devious villains that Standish must overcome.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Instead, Lilith's name originated in her depiction as a mythic Mesopotamian fiend and foe of Gilgamesh.

    Blog text (23)
  • The villagers feared the fiend that haunted their dreams, believing it to be a manifestation of the devil.

  • Legends spoke of a fiend who would deceive the innocent, leading them into a life of misery.

Synonyms

demon
vsfiend
  • Literature
509 5.3

A harmful spirit that people believe can enter and hurt someone

is a wicked supernatural being often linked to that tormenting role
devil
vsfiend
  • Literature
318 5.3

A powerful spirit that represents evil and tempts people

is a wicked supernatural being often associated with that chief figure
daemon
vsfiend
  • Literature
1 9.9

A harmful spirit that causes trouble or fear

is more purely wicked and often associated with the chief evil figure
daimon
vsfiend
  • Literature
1 9.9

A spirit in old Greek stories that harms or tricks people

focuses more on wickedness rather than influential or divine roles
Fomorian
vsfiend
  • Literature
9.9

A monstrous sea demon from Irish myths that brings chaos

is a general wicked spirit not a specific mythic group

Antonyms

881 1.8

A religious being with wings believed to bring messages or help from God

good spirit
  • Literature
4 7.8

A kind spirit that protects people and brings good luck

Compounds

dope fiend
  • Offensive
7 9.9

A person who cannot stop using illegal drugs, often said in an insulting way

How Fearsome

Jabberwock
  • Literature
1 9.9
fiend
  • Literature
15 8.8
monster
  • Offensive
395 2.5
beast
464 1.0
creature
1.3

Surface Forms

fiend singular
fiends plural

Etymology

Fiend comes from the Old English word fēond, which meant 'enemy'. Over time people used this idea of a dangerous enemy for evil spirits, so a fiend is now a wicked, supernatural being.