FANCIFUL Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of fanciful are chimerical , fantastic , imaginary , quixotic , and visionary . While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination. // a teller of fanciful stories

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

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

Q: When could 'fantastic' be used to replace 'fanciful'?

The meanings of fantastic and fanciful largely overlap; however, fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief. // a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

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

The synonyms imaginary and fanciful are sometimes interchangeable, but imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination. // an imaginary desert isle

Q: Where would 'quixotic' be a reasonable alternative to 'fanciful'?

The words quixotic and fanciful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense. // a quixotic crusade

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

The words visionary and fanciful can be used in similar contexts, but visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization. // visionary schemes

fanciful

adjective

ˈfan(t)-si-fəl

Definition of fanciful next

as in bizarre

conceived or made without regard for reason or reality she harbors the fanciful notion that she has a talent for singing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mythic

not real and existing only in the imagination the fanciful creatures that J.R.R. Tolkien created for his Middle Earth novels

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fanciful contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fanciful are chimerical, fantastic, imaginary, quixotic, and visionary. While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination.

a teller of fanciful stories

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

Chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic.

chimerical dreams of future progress

When could fantastic be used to replace fanciful?

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

a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

When is imaginary a more appropriate choice than fanciful?

The synonyms imaginary and fanciful are sometimes interchangeable, but imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination.

an imaginary desert isle

Where would quixotic be a reasonable alternative to fanciful?

The words quixotic and fanciful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense.

a quixotic crusade

In what contexts can visionary take the place of fanciful?

The words visionary and fanciful can be used in similar contexts, but visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization.

visionary schemes

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 fanciful To a soundtrack of orchestral chants or sea shanties, fanciful motifs flow from his old-school dip pen, conjuring scenes that hover between architectural ruins, theater sets, and sylvan dreamscapes. —

Mel Studach, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2025 Also lost were performance posters, a bust of Schoenberg and ephemera such as the fanciful playing card sets the composer designed. —

Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025 Dress up dapper because moody Francis Hall is sophisticated, intimate and crafting fanciful sips. KILN Location: Hotel Heron: 699 Prince St, Alexandria, VA 22314 For Saturday dinner, visit KILN, which just so happens to be the ground-floor restaurant at the hotel. —

Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2025 Amenities: Restaurant, bar, extensive brunch, spa, gym Editor’s Tip: Don’t miss brunch, a fanciful affair offering the best spread in Buenos Aires. —

Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fanciful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fanciful

Adjective

Does that explain his bizarre excursion to allow Arnaut Danjuma to score?

— Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
Archaeologists have uncovered a series of bizarre ancient burials in France.

— Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025