IMAGINARY Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of imaginary are chimerical , fanciful , fantastic , quixotic , and visionary . While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination. // an imaginary desert isle

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

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

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

In some situations, the words fanciful and imaginary are roughly equivalent. However, fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination. // a teller of fanciful stories

Q: When is it sensible to use 'fantastic' instead of 'imaginary'?

The words fantastic and imaginary can be used in similar contexts, but fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief. // a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

Q: When could 'quixotic' be used to replace 'imaginary'?

Although the words quixotic and imaginary have much in common, quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense. // a quixotic crusade

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

While in some cases nearly identical to imaginary , visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization. // visionary schemes

imaginary

adjective

i-ˈma-jə-ˌner-ē

Definition of imaginary next

as in fictitious

not real and existing only in the imagination told by the psychologist that it was perfectly normal for their child to have an imaginary friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective imaginary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of imaginary are chimerical, fanciful, fantastic, quixotic, and visionary. While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination.

an imaginary desert isle

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

Chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic.

chimerical dreams of future progress

In what contexts can fanciful take the place of imaginary?

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

a teller of fanciful stories

When is it sensible to use fantastic instead of imaginary?

The words fantastic and imaginary can be used in similar contexts, but fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief.

a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

When could quixotic be used to replace imaginary?

Although the words quixotic and imaginary have much in common, quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense.

a quixotic crusade

When is visionary a more appropriate choice than imaginary?

While in some cases nearly identical to imaginary, visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization.

visionary schemes

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of imaginary In real life, New York’s first Major League Soccer stadium will go up at Willets Point, but SOM placed its imaginary alternative on the Long Island City waterfront, partly for the scenic location and also because building materials could be brought in quickly and quietly by barge. —

Justin Davidson, Curbed, 8 Jan. 2025 Now, that’s a gift so precious that no person, real or imaginary, could give. —

Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2025 In the meantime [glances at imaginary wristwatch], has anyone seen the NHL ratings? —

Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Dec. 2024 First of all, as Pew Research point out, D&D is in many ways the origin of the metaverse, an imaginary creative space of social interaction and storytelling, the coming incarnation of the online world. —

David G.w. Birch, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for imaginary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginary

Adjective

However, that didn’t stop the fictitious school district from announcing closings as the North Texas deals with freezing rain and snow.

Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Jan. 2025
Much like the fictitious film, Moss’s relationship with his youngest child’s mother has been tumultuous.

Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 6 Jan. 2025