fantasize

verb

fan·​ta·​size ˈfan-tə-ˌsīz 

fantasized; fantasizing

intransitive verb

: to indulge in reverie : to create or develop imaginative and often fantastic views or ideas

doing things I'd fantasized about in my sheltered childhood

—Diane Arbus

transitive verb

: to portray in the mind : fancy

likes to fantasize herself as very wealthy

fantasizer

ˈfan-tə-ˌsī-zər 

noun

Synonyms

• conceit [chiefly dialect]
• conceive
• conjure (up)
• dream
• envisage
• envision
• fancy
• fantasy
• feature
• ideate
• image
• imagine
• picture
• see
• vision
• visualize

Examples of fantasize in a Sentence

She fantasized that she had won a million dollars.

all those lottery players fantasizing themselves as living in extravagant luxury

Recent Examples on the Web

For something completely different, some investors have been picking up value stocks rather than fantasizing about the possibilities of Silicon Valley’s dream world. —John Navin, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

Chat forums filled with would-be MAGA vigilantes who fantasize about rounding up Democratic politicians or acting as bounty hunters to corral undocumented migrants. —Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Feb. 2025

Some fantasize about quitting their job and moving to a remote island. —Mark Travers, Contributor, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2025

And because this is from the ’90s, there are entire extended dream sequences dedicated to Spader fantasizing about being in a circus. —Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

fantasy entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for fantasize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Medical Definition

fantasize

verb

fan·​ta·​size

variants or British fantasise

ˈfant-ə-ˌsīz 

fantasized or British fantasised; fantasizing or British fantasising

intransitive verb

: to indulge in fantasy : create or develop imaginative and often fantastic views or ideas

fantasizes about running away from home

transitive verb

: to portray in the mind by fantasy

likes to fantasize herself as very famous