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Definition of sphex

sphex

/ˈsfɛks/
sphex
Plural:sphexes
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sphex Lexical Profile

sphex Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of various solitary digger wasps of the genus Sphex, which typically construct burrows in the ground and provision them with paralyzed insects for their offspring.

Example

"The entomologist observed the sphex meticulously digging a burrow in the sandy soil before dragging a paralyzed katydid inside."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sphex

• Rhymes for sphex

• Nearby Words

spherically
sphericalness
spheroid
sphex
sphincter
sphinx
sphinxlike

Word Origin & Etymology

From New Latin Sphex, derived from Ancient Greek sphēx (σφήξ), meaning 'wasp'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sphex. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sphex
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