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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fabulous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fabulous are apocryphal, fictitious, legendary, and mythical. While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

When is apocryphal a more appropriate choice than fabulous?

While the synonyms apocryphal and fabulous are close in meaning, apocryphal implies an unknown or dubious source or origin or may imply that the thing itself is dubious or inaccurate.

a book that repeats many apocryphal stories

Where would fictitious be a reasonable alternative to fabulous?

The words fictitious and fabulous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.

fictitious characters

When might legendary be a better fit than fabulous?

The meanings of legendary and fabulous largely overlap; however, legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

When could mythical be used to replace fabulous?

Although the words mythical and fabulous have much in common, mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.

mythical creatures

Examples of fabulous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In my experience, hanging to dry takes a while, but works to preserve the fabulous quality. Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 15 Oct. 2024 What makes Ontario Christian a real threat to defending state champion Etiwanda is the arrival of two fabulous freshmen in 6-foot-6 Sydney Douglas and 5-10 Tatianna Griffin. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024 This summer, The Pig hotels will reopen Barnsley House in the Cotswolds (the former home of one of the 20th century's most celebrated horticulturists, Rosemary Verey), where the topiary and box-edged beds should remain intact – alongside, no doubt, a fabulous potager garden. Delilah Khomo, theweek, 10 Oct. 2024 All of the players do a fabulous job of capturing the off-key, almost talk-singing that often goes hand in hand-with bridesmaid performances. Rosa Escandon, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fabulous 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fabulous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near fabulous

Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on fabulous

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