as in notion
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action
on a whim, we stopped at the roadside stand to get ice cream
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whim
That makes mobile-home owners subject to the whims of their landlords, according to Vanessa Fry, a Boise State University research professor in public policy and administration.
—
Idaho Statesman, 21 Aug. 2025
President Trump is, once again, testing the limits of his power, hoping to intimidate other cities into submission to his every vengeful whim by making the once unimaginable—an American tyrant ordering a military occupation of our own capital—a terrifying reality.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Already, strategic investment in open-source infrastructure ensures that critical systems remain under democratic control and are not subject to the whims of foreign actors or commercial interests.
—Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Unlike toilet paper and baby formula, which experienced shortages during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, toys are a discretionary purchase subject to the whims of trend-seeking consumers.
—Alex Vuocolo, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whim
Idaho Statesman, 21 Aug. 2025
President Trump is, once again, testing the limits of his power, hoping to intimidate other cities into submission to his every vengeful whim by making the once unimaginable—an American tyrant ordering a military occupation of our own capital—a terrifying reality.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Already, strategic investment in open-source infrastructure ensures that critical systems remain under democratic control and are not subject to the whims of foreign actors or commercial interests.
—Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Unlike toilet paper and baby formula, which experienced shortages during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, toys are a discretionary purchase subject to the whims of trend-seeking consumers.
—Alex Vuocolo, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whim
Noun
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The person familiar with India’s political ecosystem disputed the notion that Gor would be guaranteed to face extra scrutiny on the ground there for serving as special envoy and ambassador at the same time.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Kirby beautifully etches these notions into Miss Black America.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The caprice of the wind was the only reason there was evidence to recover in the first place.—
Henry Leutwyler Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
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Trump ran as a populist, but his actions in office have built a new élite shaped by his personal preference and caprice.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But it’s been part of Jewish thought for centuries.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
-
During Wednesday's episode of The Herd, Colin Cowherd gave his thoughts on the messy standoff between Parsons and the Cowboys.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Vape shops have spread across the American retail landscape with a bizarre swiftness, seemingly unbeholden to the same vagaries of inflation, customer demand, and local real estate that bind every other kind of storefront small business in the country.—
Amanda Mull,
The Atlantic,
22 June 2023
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Third, repeaters should prove capable of swapping this data between nodes in a network in a predictable way and not one too subject to the vagaries of chance.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
13 June 2023
Noun
-
What is the fantasy outlook for the Chiefs' tight end in 2025?—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
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Its overwater villas, cerulean lagoons, and barefoot butlers have become synonymous with the tropical island fantasy, and last year, an all-time high of 2 million visitors touched down on its sugar-white sands.—
Chris Schalkx,
Robb Report,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The ship also features several large-scale murals and sculptures that infuse whimsy and fun into every public space.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Aug. 2025
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This can add a sense of whimsy to even the most traditional furniture.—
Tessa Cooper,
Southern Living,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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His TikTok alone is a treasure trove of hilarious videos, which range from self-deprecatory humor to him hopping on whatever viral trend is tickling his fancy.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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Afterward, head into Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, or Jacksonville for whatever suits your fancy—big-city restaurants and culture or beachy small-town charm.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
9 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whim. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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