larvae

noun

variants also larvas
plural of larva
as in nymphs
a young wingless often wormlike form (as a grub or caterpillar) that hatches from the egg of many insects the larva looked ugly, but it was destined to hatch into a beautiful butterfly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for larvae
nymphs
Noun
  • Live roaches were discovered behind the cove base under the hand sink and nymphs at the display cooler next to the meat prep entrance.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Juveniles, known as nymphs, which resemble small, wingless black and red beetles with white spots, are found in the early summer, with adults, characterized by gray to brown outer wings with black spots, emerging in late summer.
    — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of nymphs
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.

Browse Nearby Words

larva
larvae
lascivious
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Cite this Entry

“Larvae.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/larvae. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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