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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 Thornton on Jerry Jones’ ‘fabulous’ performance In season 1 episode 9, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made a lengthy cameo playing himself. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2025 This fabulous nude color lipstick really makes the face. Catherine Santino, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025 Well, there will certainly be many more fabulous fashions to come. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2025 For most people, the summer just isn’t complete without a fabulous getaway. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • There’s the potential to still reach 94 points, which might not quite have the same sheen to it as the 99 points achieved by Liverpool’s last title-winning side in 2019-20 but should still be recognised as a wonderful achievement.
    Gregg Evans, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Katy Perry reportedly sang ‘Its a wonderful world,’ Gayle King beamed in zero gravity, as Lauren Sánchez—pilot, philanthropist, and Jeff Bezos’s fiancée, led Blue Origin’s first all-female crew to the edge of space.
    Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This is a lovely window to make contracts or enter into negotiations.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Get The Recipe 09 of 15 Watermelon Radish Salad These blushing spring radishes add a lovely color and flavor to little gem lettuces.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The series titles alludes to mythical and powerful ancient artifacts from the game universe.
    Carlie Procell, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The First Shadow is a stand-alone prequel to the series, and its creators say the play is, in fact, canon to its mythical universe, and could be referenced in the upcoming Season Five of the series.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • What an amazing display of Mother Nature at her finest.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • This soulful part of Phuket is dotted with colorful Sino-Portuguese shophouses, hidden temples, a vibrant art scene, and plenty of amazing restaurants and bars.
    Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Amid the audience laughter at a lecture, U.S. Navy oceanographer Robert Ballard bit his tongue and told the questioner the jewelry was fictitious.
    Terry Collins, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Searches were carried out in France and Belgium last month to determine if his Belgian tax domicile was fictitious.
    Saskya Vandoorne, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Scott McKenna bossing the defence, Fabio Silva scoring goals for fun, Oli McBurnie bashing around and suddenly speaking excellent Spanish… this is a cause to believe in.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • In a survey of more than 15,000 users after its rollout in 2024, 90% of respondents ranked their experience as excellent or above average.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Even David Strathairn, another legendary salt-and-pepper presence on the big screen, went full brown for his role in the film adaptation upon which the Broadway show is based.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The verbal sparring escalated when Stratton took a deeply personal route, suggesting that Flair would forever remain in the shadow of her legendary father, Ric Flair.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Emmy Award-winner plays the Black woman stand-in for a white male protagonist in an imaginary story to repurpose the popularity of a once successful Keyworth Pictures’ franchise.
    Malik Peay, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Perception Of Threat: In situations of aggression, whether real or imaginary, a natural response is to fight back.
    Naira Velumyan, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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