Definition of fabulousnext
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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 Instead of Paris this time, the film jets off to another fabulous destination besides New York — Milan — for a huge fashion expo where Lady Gaga gets to perform and even exchange swipes with Miranda. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026 Consider these our contemporary cupcake commandments, illustrated by three new recipes that are, as Carrie would say, fabulous. Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026 Marginal Way is a paved cliff walk offering fabulous views of the ocean, and there are several benches along the way if the kids’ legs get tired. Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026 That includes here the fabulous jazz pianist and conductor Adrian Galante, a breakout young Australian equally as adept on the clarinet and an ebullient specialist in this genre of music. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • The buttery, flaky crust and legendary sausage pie make this what many locals consider the definitive deep dish experience.
    Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
  • Over a whirlwind night, Audrey and Hubert risk their respective careers to help one another, igniting the start of a legendary forty-year creative partnership.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • There is great teaching going on, the principal is wonderful.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Claire has been an advocate for courageous stories, an expert at complicated logistics and a wonderful partner to teams across the entire news division.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • That is the unhinged (complimentary) premise of Thomas Elrod’s debut, in which the fictional cult-classic epic fantasy Malicarn series is staged on an island with unwitting actors temporarily imprinted with the characters’ backstories.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
  • Midtown office buildings One of the most recognizable locations in the film is 1221 Avenue of the Americas, a 51-story tower in Midtown Manhattan that served as the exterior for the fictional Runway magazine headquarters in the original 2006 film.
    Kelly McGreal , Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Otesaga Resort Hotel Cooperstown, New York If a pilgrimage to the National Baseball Hall of Fame is on your family vacation bucket list, combine your visit with a stay at The Otesaga Resort Hotel for a lovely lakeside getaway.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 6 May 2026
  • Completing the triptych is the story of yet another student in 1972, the shy Hannes (Enzo Brumm), who hopes to study poetry but is soon taken with the lovely Gundula (Marlene Burow), who is researching the neural responses of the geranium on her windowsill.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • But there's also race history, manifested in fandom by Secretariat, the almost mythical champion racehorse known as Big Red who ruled the tracks in the mid-1970s.
    Javier Zarracina, USA Today, 1 May 2026
  • In Phantom Combatants, Tontey transforms Karamoy from a singular historical figure into a mythic presence multiplied through a chorus of young troops, according to a press release.
    Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The entire complement of ingredients and cooking apparatuses to prepare the full menu occupies a mere 6 square feet—absolutely amazing.
    George Motz, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
  • The princess has done an amazing job at activating people's minds about the value and importance of this.
    Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • Footnotes and excerpts from imaginary texts add to the story’s worldbuilding and its charm.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
  • The takeaway isn’t that morning anxiety is imaginary.
    Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Conversations around excellent kebabs in Southern California tend to begin with the Martirosyan family and their Mini Kabob in Glendale.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
  • The lighting, art design and score are all excellent – and the single shot construction gives the film a dreamy, meditative quality.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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