魔物|まものmamono[0]heiban (flat)

1. noundemon; devil; evil spirit; monster; goblin; apparition

• SynonymデーモンNeutralLoanword for a demon of Western tradition, or a background process in computing; 「魔物」 broadly covers demonic, bewitching creatures.
• Synonym鬼おにNeutralThe horned ogre of Japanese folklore, or a ruthless person, as in 「鬼監督」; 「魔物」 broadly means anything demonic.
• Synonym怪物かいぶつNeutralA frightening unknown creature, or a person of extraordinary ability, as in 「怪物新人」; 「魔物」 leans toward the demonic.
• Synonym悪霊あくりょうNeutralAn evil spirit of the dead that brings curses or harm on people; 「魔物」 is not limited to the dead and covers anything demonic.
• Synonym悪魔あくまNeutralThe Christian Devil or demons obstructing Buddhist practice; also a person of extreme evil. 「魔物」 leans toward monstrous creatures and can mean a dangerous lure.
• SynonymモンスターNeutralLoanword for monsters, or unreasonable people, as in 「モンスタークレーマー」; 「魔物」 leans toward the demonic and eerie.
• Synonym魔まNeutralA single character: the demonic force that blocks the righteous path, or a suffix meaning someone obsessed, as in 「電話魔」; 「魔物」 is a concrete creature.
• Synonym妖魔ようまWrittenWritten register, for demons and monsters of all kinds; 「魔物」 can also figuratively mean a dangerous, beguiling thing.
• Synonym魑魅ちみWrittenWritten register: mountain and forest spirits, mostly in the set phrase 「魑魅魍魎」; 「魔物」 is broader.
• SynonymデビルNeutralLoanword for the devil or a demon; 「魔物」 broadly covers demonic, bewitching creatures.
• Synonym物の怪もののけWrittenWritten register: a vengeful spirit or other supernatural thing that haunts people; 「魔物」 broadly means anything demonic.
• Synonym悪鬼あっきWrittenWritten register: an evil demon that haunts and harms people; 「魔物」 broadly means anything demonic.
• Synonym邪鬼じゃきWrittenWritten register: a wicked imp, often one of the small demons trampled by the Four Heavenly Kings; 「魔物」 is broader.
• Synonym魔神まじんWrittenWritten register: a demon god that brings misfortune; 「魔物」 leans toward monstrous creatures and need not be a deity.
• Related鬼神きしんWrittenWritten register: a fierce, superhuman spirit, as in 「鬼神も避く」; 「魔物」 leans toward evil, monstrous creatures.
• Related怪獣かいじゅうNeutralA mysterious giant monster, like Godzilla; 「魔物」 leans toward demonic, bewitching creatures.
• Related幽鬼ゆうきWrittenWritten register for spirits of the dead or ghosts; 「魔物」 broadly covers demonic, bewitching creatures.
• Related邪神じゃしんWrittenWritten register: an evil god that brings calamity; 「魔物」 leans toward monstrous creatures and need not be a deity.
• Antonym天使てんしNeutralAn angel, a messenger of God; opposite to 「魔物」 in the contrast between holiness and demonic evil.

Use 「魔物」 for eerie, demonic creatures or anything dangerously bewitching, as in 「試合には魔物が棲む」. For the Devil, Christian demons or those obstructing Buddhist practice, pick 「悪魔」; the loanword 「デーモン」 is a Western demon. For the horned ogre of Japanese folklore or a ruthless person, 「鬼」; for frightening unknown creatures or phenomenally gifted people, 「怪物」. 「モンスター」 and 「怪獣」 cover monsters, including kaiju like Godzilla, and written style favors 「妖魔」 and 「物の怪」. The opposite in holiness is 「天使」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 魔性ましょうのもの。ばけもの。