as in appeal
the power of irresistible attraction
even as a child, she had an unmistakable duende that attracted the attention of passersby
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Recent Examples of duende
That involved the special forces paying due heed to Indigenous cosmology which suggested a malign shapeshifting being known as a duende was conspiring to hide the children from their would-be rescuers.
—
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
The duende is a force not a labor, a struggle not a thought.
—Lauren Groff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2024
May more absolute crackpots come forward with their petrified duendes and brujas voladoras.
—Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
The writer George Frazier spent a lifetime defining duende and identifying those who possessed it.
—Paul Daugherty, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2021
Which means that, for a dancer, duende is not only a mystical inspiration.
—Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2019
Krug is no Orr, because no one can recreate that time, that talent that duende, but the winning rush was of near-No.
—BostonGlobe.com, 23 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duende
Noun
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Its distressed geometric pattern gives the rug a vintage appeal, and each of the five neutral colors is sure to match with existing décor.—
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The high court ruled by a 6-3 margin, granting the federal government’s emergency appeal of the judge’s temporary restraining order freezing the raids as they had been carried out.—
Noun
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Once can combine a gold chain for a necklace or bracelet with pieces from a wide assortment of medallions, charms, initials, and other designs with talisman appeal.—
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This on-sale pick has a spacious lower shelf for books, remotes, and other essentials, and its wood-grain finish adds a rustic charm.—
Noun
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The collection begins with Degas’s Dancers, reflecting the painter’s fascination with the motion and poise of ballerinas, expressed through the watch’s curved shapes and lively color palette.—
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The entertainment industry's growing fascination with AI has created a rising apprehension from actors and other creatives about how the ever-evolving technology is transforming the media landscape.—
Noun
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Market fundamentals trump policy announcements The general decline in oil prices from 2022 through late 2025 has reduced the attractiveness of many drilling investments.—
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In 2003, Zuckerberg, then a sophomore, created Facemash by hacking into Harvard’s online student directories and using the photos to create a site where users could rank students’ attractiveness.—
Noun
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Despite its name, the Honey Gold is incredibly balanced, with the right kick and sweetness to make each bite tantalizing.—
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But foods sweetened with natural sweeteners—like honey, maple syrup, and fruit—are taking over in 2026 as consumers look for natural sources of sweetness.—
Noun
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The eyes of K-pop superstars/demon hunters Rumi, Mira and Zoey (voiced by actors Arden Cho, May Hong and Ji-young Yoo) turn into giant red hearts to show physical attraction.—
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The Magic Kingdom land will feature two new major attractions, as well as dining and shopping.—
Noun
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Some of my earliest memories are sneaking out of bed to sit at the top of the stairs, desperate to catch a glimpse of the gold and the glamour.—
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Storing perfume is a classic use for a tray and can add a sense of glamour to your dressing table.—
Noun
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There are moments when great artists are won over by the magic of certain cities and then forever change the way that the world sees them.—
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There’s an equally eerie and intriguing magic that comes with venturing into the wilderness beneath the light of a full moon.—
Cite this Entry
“Duende.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duende. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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