IMAGINARY Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of imaginary are chimerical , fanciful , fantastic , quixotic , and visionary . While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination. // an imaginary desert isle

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

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

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

In some situations, the words fanciful and imaginary are roughly equivalent. However, fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination. // a teller of fanciful stories

Q: When is it sensible to use 'fantastic' instead of 'imaginary'?

The words fantastic and imaginary can be used in similar contexts, but fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief. // a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

Q: When could 'quixotic' be used to replace 'imaginary'?

Although the words quixotic and imaginary have much in common, quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense. // a quixotic crusade

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

While in some cases nearly identical to imaginary , visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization. // visionary schemes

imaginary

adjective

i-ˈma-jə-ˌner-ē

Definition of imaginary next

as in fictitious

not real and existing only in the imagination told by the psychologist that it was perfectly normal for their child to have an imaginary friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective imaginary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of imaginary are chimerical, fanciful, fantastic, quixotic, and visionary. While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination.

an imaginary desert isle

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

Chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic.

chimerical dreams of future progress

In what contexts can fanciful take the place of imaginary?

In some situations, the words fanciful and imaginary are roughly equivalent. However, fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination.

a teller of fanciful stories

When is it sensible to use fantastic instead of imaginary?

The words fantastic and imaginary can be used in similar contexts, but fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief.

a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

When could quixotic be used to replace imaginary?

Although the words quixotic and imaginary have much in common, quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense.

a quixotic crusade

When is visionary a more appropriate choice than imaginary?

While in some cases nearly identical to imaginary, visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization.

visionary schemes

Examples 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 imaginary True, 6, modeled her colorful pajamas covered in roller skates and stars while carrying her teddy bear Zippy. Dream, meanwhile, walked the imaginary runway with a silver Prada purse. —

Marina Watts, People.com, 12 Oct. 2024 But this week, Genevieve removed the glasses, stepped into Shane Powers’ old imaginary Blackberry phone booth, and indeed turned into Superwoman. —

Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Oct. 2024 When pranks around town seem to frame her, Chambers’ Frances Bacon McCausland has to prove her innocence with the help of imaginary friend Larry Houdini (played by Ty Hodges). —

Brendan Le, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024 An imaginary friend is one thing for a child and quite another for a 38-year-old man who drinks excessively with this figment every night. —

Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imaginary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginary

Adjective

To Kaplan, the onscreen romantic chemistry between the two fictitious lead characters, rival booksellers Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly, drew her attention.

David Chiu, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
There is a chance that generative AI can make up fictitious facts, often referred to as AI hallucinations, see my coverage at the link here.

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024