fantasy 1 of 2

variants also phantasy
Definition of fantasynext
1
2
as in imagination
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others the painter gave free rein to his fantasy to create pictures that capture the kind of reality we experience only in our dreams

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in fiction
something that is the product of the imagination we were coming to the conclusion that the person Karen "saw" in the woods was another one of her fantasies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fantasy

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fantasy
Noun
Cheri Radke’s cozy fantasy debut explores impostor syndrome by way of an unusual succession crisis on the Isle of Summer. Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026 Méliès would take the artform in a more self-consciously fanciful direction – into science fiction and fantasy. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026 Its most recent acquisition is PrizePicks, the American fantasy sports operator. Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026 The reality of maintaining one, though, differs from the fantasy. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fantasy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantasy
Noun
  • For travelers with an adventurous spirit, Costa Rica’s South Pacific is a dream come true.
    Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
  • But what was once a distant dream is now coming true for more and more authors, all up and down the ladder of literary fame and prestige.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But this is not extreme demands by any stretch of the imagination.
    CBS News, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The world of dance has leapt long in fashion’s collective imagination—but the reign of the ballet flat may, finally, be twirling off.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • If the creation of fiction is a layered endeavor—if premise, plot, style, and so on are to some extent separable—then must all the layers be made by the same individual?
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Every month, Emma Alpern and Jasmine Vojdani recommend new fiction and nonfiction books.
    Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Could one imagine immersive experiences distributed across geographies in ways that connect local nodes of creation in networks that blend physical and virtual presence?
    Daniel Birnbaum, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • That just felt so, almost traumatizing to even imagine.
    David Oliver, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • More than a month into open confrontation between Iran, the United States, Israel, and now parts of the Arab Gulf, the illusion of a quick and decisive conflict has collapsed.
    Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The next mayor will inherit an enormous burden on Day 1 with no room for illusions.
    Bill Conway, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Your creativity is also doing something quietly remarkable.
    Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
  • November 22 – December 21 A single spark of inspiration can unleash a wildfire of creativity.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Jude relocates this tale of troubled conscience to present-day Cluj-Napoca, in Transylvania, and subjects it to a corrosively cynical twist.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
  • My confidence was further bolstered when Zenker informed me about Beau Miles, an adventure filmmaker known for documenting his self-experiments, who, back in 2020, when an entirely different disaster descended upon us, ate only beans for 40 days (191 cans to be exact)—and lived to tell the tale.
    Ayana Underwood, Outside, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Roy said Crave stepped up to support the show as originally envisioned.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Winhusen envisions a future where GLP-1 drugs help with one of the most difficult barriers to successful medical treatment — keeping people in treatment.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fantasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fantasy. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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