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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fabulous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fabulous are apocryphal, fictitious, legendary, and mythical. While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

When is apocryphal a more appropriate choice than fabulous?

While the synonyms apocryphal and fabulous are close in meaning, apocryphal implies an unknown or dubious source or origin or may imply that the thing itself is dubious or inaccurate.

a book that repeats many apocryphal stories

Where would fictitious be a reasonable alternative to fabulous?

The words fictitious and fabulous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.

fictitious characters

When might legendary be a better fit than fabulous?

The meanings of legendary and fabulous largely overlap; however, legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

When could mythical be used to replace fabulous?

Although the words mythical and fabulous have much in common, mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.

mythical creatures

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 fabulous Hours after cancelling his own appearance at the event on Monday, May 5, James couldn't help but show off how fabulous his wife looked on the carpet in New York City. Natasha Dye, People.com, 6 May 2025 Levi's Wedgie bootcut jeans $98 LEVI’S Vince Naomi loafers $350 NORDSTROM Straight jeans and soccer shoes are the timeless combination to look fabulous this season. Renata Joffre, Vogue, 4 May 2025 All of this means it’s been a fabulous week for stargazing. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Most of these are in the genus Echeveria, and there is an almost endless assortment of fabulous shapes, colors, and growth forms. Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • And now more people can experience this wonderful adventure on Netflix starting May 15, 2025.
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Colombia’s coastal cities are famous for their cuisine, but don’t overlook their wonderful street foods.
    Cat Sposato, AFAR Media, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Flavors of light red fruit, cherry tart and sparking acidity with a lovely finish and pronounced length.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • The plot is basic and the dialogue merely serviceable, but there are lovely scenery shots throughout, the vastness, gentle light and deep colors of the American West illustrated carefully and evocatively by Hutchins’ — and Cline’s — camera work.
    Jocelyn Noveck, Boston Herald, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Chicago Bears, unofficial offseason champs more than once in recent years, could be pushing for another mythical crown.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • For the uninitiated, these mythical concepts, Vril and Agartha, both originate in books.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Midway through game three, Agassi was clearly winded from playing in the oppressive Florida humidity, but after an amazing rally at 7-7 in the third the teenagers capitulated and Waters/Agassi were able to win and move forward.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • Thank you to our amazing cast, crew, and producers and writers!
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • The two stars of the Emmy-winning 1990s romantic comedy series Northern Exposure, set in the zany fictitious town of Cicely, Alaska, are adding their names to the avalanche of television stars binging their old shows, offering commentary about the storylines and sharing behind-the-scenes tales.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 6 May 2025
  • Later on, Weekend Update featured a trio of guest appearances from Bowen Yang who resurrected his recurring Chinese trade minister Chen Biao, Emil Wakim and his notes on American patriotism and Sarah Sherman as Jost’s fictitious accountant Dawn Altman.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Additionally, having read about the extensive fabric testing conducted by Article to ensure abrasion resistance (150% more testing than industry standard!), I was reassured that this would be an excellent investment piece for our home.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 12 May 2025
  • The Spa The wellness spaces were not yet ready during my visit, so the hotel arranged an excellent massage in my suite.
    David Shortell, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The episodes will be told through the lens of five of The Bible’s most legendary women: Sarah and her former slave Hagar, Sarah’s great-niece Rebekah, and Rebekah’s nieces, sisters Leah and Rachel.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 12 May 2025
  • The interview is pegged to the legendary NFL coach’s new book, The Art of Winning: Lessons from My Life in Football — and comes as Belichick’s relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson continues to make headlines.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • New York is a realm of fantasy and myth, obsession and resentment, fear and bewilderment for many who’ve never set foot in it; and many who live here also purvey and perpetuate some version of the imaginary city.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 May 2025
  • The imaginary elements of the story — the witches, and the university — stem from growing up with my father, and reading novels by Julio Verne and Emilio Salgari.
    Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

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