FANCIFUL Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'fanciful' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fanciful are chimerical , fantastic , imaginary , quixotic , and visionary . While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination. // a teller of fanciful stories

Q: How does the word 'chimerical' relate to other synonyms for 'fanciful'?

Chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic . // chimerical dreams of future progress

Q: When could 'fantastic' be used to replace 'fanciful'?

The meanings of fantastic and fanciful largely overlap; however, fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief. // a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

Q: When is 'imaginary' a more appropriate choice than 'fanciful'?

The synonyms imaginary and fanciful are sometimes interchangeable, but imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination. // an imaginary desert isle

Q: Where would 'quixotic' be a reasonable alternative to 'fanciful'?

The words quixotic and fanciful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense. // a quixotic crusade

Q: In what contexts can 'visionary' take the place of 'fanciful'?

The words visionary and fanciful can be used in similar contexts, but visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization. // visionary schemes

fanciful

adjective

ˈfan(t)-si-fəl

Definition of fanciful next

as in bizarre

conceived or made without regard for reason or reality she harbors the fanciful notion that she has a talent for singing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mythic

not real and existing only in the imagination the fanciful creatures that J.R.R. Tolkien created for his Middle Earth novels

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fanciful contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fanciful are chimerical, fantastic, imaginary, quixotic, and visionary. While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination.

a teller of fanciful stories

How does the word chimerical relate to other synonyms for fanciful?

Chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic.

chimerical dreams of future progress

When could fantastic be used to replace fanciful?

The meanings of fantastic and fanciful largely overlap; however, fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief.

a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

When is imaginary a more appropriate choice than fanciful?

The synonyms imaginary and fanciful are sometimes interchangeable, but imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination.

an imaginary desert isle

Where would quixotic be a reasonable alternative to fanciful?

The words quixotic and fanciful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense.

a quixotic crusade

In what contexts can visionary take the place of fanciful?

The words visionary and fanciful can be used in similar contexts, but visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization.

visionary schemes

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 fanciful The wintertime spectacle, featuring a variety of fanciful ice formations, has been held in previous locations in the Twin Cities, but this is its first year at the state fairgrounds. —

John Autey, Twin Cities, 5 Jan. 2025 These fanciful thought experiments have inspired new algorithms and helped researchers map the landscape of computation. —

Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025 Lamb has worked on the Rose Parade for 52 years, decorating floats with the flowers that bring the fanciful tableaux and myriad menageries to life. —

Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024 Previously, Gerry had spent time decorating their yard with fanciful folk sculptures, including a bathtub painted to look like both a cow and a fighter plane, and also trying to preserve old buildings in town, but now his purpose narrowed. —

Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fanciful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fanciful

Adjective

Does that explain his bizarre excursion to allow Arnaut Danjuma to score?

— Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
Archaeologists have uncovered a series of bizarre ancient burials in France.

— Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025