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visionary

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noun

1
as in diviner
one who predicts future events or developments according to Greek myth, Cassandra was a visionary who was endowed with the gift of inerrant prophecy but fated to never be believed

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in dreamer
one whose conduct is guided more by the image of perfection than by the real world 19th-century visionaries who founded short-lived communities in which everyone was supposed to live in perfect peace and harmony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective visionary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of visionary are chimerical, fanciful, fantastic, imaginary, and quixotic. While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization.

visionary schemes

How is chimerical related to other words for visionary?

Chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic.

chimerical dreams of future progress

When might fanciful be a better fit than visionary?

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

a teller of fanciful stories

When can fantastic be used instead of visionary?

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

a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

When is imaginary a more appropriate choice than visionary?

Although the words imaginary and visionary have much in common, imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination.

an imaginary desert isle

When could quixotic be used to replace visionary?

While in some cases nearly identical to visionary, quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense.

a quixotic crusade

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 visionary
Adjective
President Trump's visionary leadership has changed the way Washington deals with our allies and adversaries on trade. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025 Merkel was visionary, too, especially regarding the former superpowers of the Cold War and their controversial leaders. Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
Beleaguered French President Emmanuel Macron — whose government keeps collapsing – is reborn as a Gaullist visionary, vowing to rebuild Europe’s military strength. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025 Concerning the avant-garde, John Quinn, the visionary behind the 1913 Armory Show, was more adventurous, leaning into Cubism and Duchamp’s radical experiments where Barnes balked. Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for visionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for visionary
Adjective
  • The moment was born out of a need for Edward to have something to do in the hotel while Vivian comes looking for him, leading into to a romantic sequence.
    Kate Hogan, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
  • After the invisible-car antics of Die Another Day, Daniel Craig's series of turns as Bond brought the franchise back to basics, beginning with 2006's romantic, suspenseful Casino Royale.
    EW.com, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Cunard's Queen Anne cruise ship advised passengers to remain cautious while the ship passed through a piracy-prone area in Southeast Asia, according to a Thursday, March 13, TikTok.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The organization has become more cautious about backing properties that are underinsured, dilapidated, or lack sufficient reserves for maintenance.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • That spells trouble in the Indo-Pacific, a watery region where military leaders and Beltway diviners believe a war over Taiwan could erupt as soon as 2027.
    Colin Demarest, Axios, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Questions like these have been asked of diviners around the world throughout history—and still are today.
    Michelle Aroney and David Zeitlyn, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • And with Neptune entering your sign on March 30th, get ready to tap into your inner dreamer.
    Dossé-Via Trenou, refinery29.com, 27 Feb. 2025
  • These dreamers are still dreaming, but the alarm is going off.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • European Army and the EU The nebulous idea of a European military has long floated around, but mostly dismissed as impractical and unnecessary while NATO exists in its current form.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
  • The most innovative ideas often seem strange or impractical at first.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Hamilton achieved most of these minimal brake moments while driving for Mercedes for 12 seasons, except for one out-of-reach trophy: turning seven championship titles into the mythical record-setting eight.
    Olivia Hicks, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The furniture collection was inspired by sea life, the mythical sea creatures of Ancient Greece and is composed of the Lorelei armchair and sofa, Ligea coffee tables, Neomeris carpet, Nereide sofa, Ploto low tables, Seidon sofa, Sibelia low tables and Teti pouf.
    Sofia Celeste, WWD, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Since then, Vance has been more careful not to deviate publicly from the president's policy position.
    Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The biblical prophet was born in Egypt, where the Israelites were enslaved, and soon after Pharaoh ordered the murder of all their newborn sons.
    Miriam Eve Mora, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Kibbe himself, now in his seventies, remains both the system’s prophet and its greatest mystery.
    Rachel Hills, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Visionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/visionary. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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