plural sphinxes or sphinges
ˈsfin-ˌjēz 
1
a
capitalized
: a winged female monster in Greek mythology having a woman's head and a lion's body and noted for killing anyone unable to answer its riddle
b
: an enigmatic or mysterious person
she is a sphinx whose features hold a blank fascination
2
: an ancient Egyptian image in the form of a recumbent lion having a man's head, a ram's head, or a hawk's head
Examples of sphinx in a Sentence
a statue of the Sphinx
Recent Examples on the Web
The ancient site shared more features with the temple described in the Book of Kings than any uncovered before or since, including walls carved in reliefs of lions and cherubs, a courtyard paved in flagstones, a monumental staircase guarded by sphinxes and a multistory hallway.
—
Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Sep. 2024
As a news photographer, Herbert Gehr had seen a lot — wars, Egyptian sphinxes, heads of state, movie stars, and a slew of celebrities.
—Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 28 July 2024
Perched on the outskirts of Cairo, the Giza site contains six pyramids in total: three towering ones, including the Great Pyramid, and three smaller ones—plus an enormous statue of a sphinx, for good measure.
—Rebecca James, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2017
Eight sphinxes and eight Hathoric columns will be carved with images that are meaningful to Halsey, including personal heroes, family, friends, community activists and organizers.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for sphinx 
Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Sep. 2024
As a news photographer, Herbert Gehr had seen a lot — wars, Egyptian sphinxes, heads of state, movie stars, and a slew of celebrities.
—Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 28 July 2024
Perched on the outskirts of Cairo, the Giza site contains six pyramids in total: three towering ones, including the Great Pyramid, and three smaller ones—plus an enormous statue of a sphinx, for good measure.
—Rebecca James, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2017
Eight sphinxes and eight Hathoric columns will be carved with images that are meaningful to Halsey, including personal heroes, family, friends, community activists and organizers.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for sphinx
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sphinx.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Sphinx.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sphinx. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
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sphinx
noun
plural sphinxes or sphinges
ˈsfin-ˌjēz
: an ancient Egyptian image having the body of a lion and the head of a man, ram, or hawk
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