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
Recent Examples on the WebEnlarge / Hunger stone at Dresden-Pillnitz, near the stairs of Pillnitz Castle's western sphinx. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 16 Aug. 2022 The mythical sphinx continues its association with Army intelligence-gatherers.Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2022 Two sphinx heads flank the queen, representing her twin sons. Jessica Lynne, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Feb. 2022 In America, the airhead and the sphinx are often one and the same. Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Apr. 2022 The softness of these textures, paired with the tyrannical posture of the sphinx, turns the painting into a cryptic yet alluring riddle. Sophie Madeline Dess, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2022 Because the sphinx is associated with wisdom and mystery.Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2022 See the huge sphinx head, prohibition-era liquor bottles, makeup, and tobacco tins at the Dunes Center. Mimi Slawoff, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2022 The coy pose slightly recalls del Valle’s sphinx, as do the chalky pink-and-technicolor-unicorn vibes. Sophie Madeline Dess, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2022 See More