variants also fantastical
Definition of fantasticnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fantastic different from other adjectives like it?

The words bizarre and grotesque are common synonyms of fantastic. While all three words mean "conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality," fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention.

dreamed up fantastic rumors

When is it sensible to use bizarre instead of fantastic?

The meanings of bizarre and fantastic largely overlap; however, bizarre applies to the sensationally strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination.

a bizarre medieval castle in the heart of a modern city

Where would grotesque be a reasonable alternative to fantastic?

Although the words grotesque and fantastic have much in common, grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones.

grotesque statues on the cathedral
though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile

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 fantastic These flowers add a colorful vertical accent to a border and are fantastic for cutting. Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 May 2026 Oh, and Hermann, a historic small town with a rich German heritage and fantastic wine trail, is 12 minutes from the property. Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 28 May 2026 Fortunately, thanks to the magnification of the gravitational lensing, QSO1 provides us a fantastic opportunity to find out how far back this relationship holds. ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026 The press does a fantastic job in a very difficult environment. Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fantastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantastic
Adjective
  • That’s just a really bizarre back and forth to exist in.
    Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 31 May 2026
  • As the story builds toward a violent showdown between the mourners and the town, the reader will be entranced by its surreal language and bizarre logic.
    Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • Robert had spent the last few years accruing credit card points—more on that below—in the hopes of planning a blowout honeymoon experience for the wanderlusting couple, who had previously traveled together to romantic destinations like Japan and the south of France.
    Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
  • Good ex-etiquette means considering how your decisions impact your co-parenting structure, not just your romantic relationship.
    Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • Those crews worked on the Country Club Plaza, in a home in Lee’s Summit and around local soccer fields — all on the Missouri side, even though the fictional Coach Lasso hails from Kansas.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
  • The show, which follows Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler moving to the fictional South Texas town of Rio Paloma, premiered May 15 and airs Fridays on Paramount+ and the Paramount Network.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Ritz-Carlton guests will also finally have access to hop aboard the incredible, spaceship-like Adastra super-yacht, currently available only for neighboring Patina Maldives guests.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
  • To not have that would be devastating … There’s just things that would become a lot more muted if people don’t have attachment to anything, which is quite incredible.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 31 May 2026
Adjective
  • Delisle was fiery and wonderful, but the angel came later.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • The retro American bar—with its picture windows right on the river—is a wonderful spot for a glass of fizz or a vintage Negroni.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • There is always the possibility that something absurd might occur — the equivalent of Neymar’s 2017 move to Paris Saint-Germain, for instance — but that’s extremely unlikely.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 27 May 2026
  • Ironically, the fears of two Republicans advancing were driven by Democratic data vendor Paul Mitchell, who built a prediction machine using absurd inputs like betting odds and polls that cannot account for things like rape allegations.
    Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • Invasive species are an escalating problem The golden mussel is among myriad species that states and the federal government are trying to kill or control, hoping to curb exotic and non-native species and protect native species and ecosystems.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 28 May 2026
  • In Hitman, the gameplay loop generally involves arriving at an exotic locale with a mark to find and kill.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • Amounts that would have looked imaginary three years ago are now the entry ticket.
    Renana Ashkenazi, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
  • But his idealized vision of a past paradise of social cohesion that late-stage capitalism destroyed doesn’t reckon with the snakes that were always there in this imaginary Eden, including a personal betrayal that’s close to home and only comes slithering out in a moment of drunken weakness.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fantastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fantastic. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

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