QUIXOTIC Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of quixotic are chimerical , fanciful , fantastic , imaginary , and visionary . While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense. // a quixotic crusade

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

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

Q: When can 'fanciful' be used instead of 'quixotic'?

The words fanciful and quixotic can be used in similar contexts, but fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination. // a teller of fanciful stories

Q: When would 'fantastic' be a good substitute for 'quixotic'?

While the synonyms fantastic and quixotic are close in meaning, fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief. // a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

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

The meanings of imaginary and quixotic largely overlap; however, imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination. // an imaginary desert isle

Q: When is it sensible to use 'visionary' instead of 'quixotic'?

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

quixotic

adjective

kwik-ˈsä-tik

Definition of quixotic next

as in romantic

having or marked by a tendency to be guided more by ideals than by reality in this age of giant chain stores, any attempt at operating an independent bookstore must be regarded as quixotic

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective quixotic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quixotic are chimerical, fanciful, fantastic, imaginary, and visionary. While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense.

a quixotic crusade

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

Chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic.

chimerical dreams of future progress

When can fanciful be used instead of quixotic?

The words fanciful and quixotic can be used in similar contexts, but fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination.

a teller of fanciful stories

When would fantastic be a good substitute for quixotic?

While the synonyms fantastic and quixotic are close in meaning, fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief.

a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

When is imaginary a more appropriate choice than quixotic?

The meanings of imaginary and quixotic largely overlap; however, imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination.

an imaginary desert isle

When is it sensible to use visionary instead of quixotic?

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

visionary schemes

Examples 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 quixotic First, an anecdote about my battle, mostly quixotic, against tax credits. —

Roger Valdez, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 In June 2020, the Small Arms Survey made a quixotic attempt to map the main alliances and rivalries among South Sudanese elites. —

Jason K. Stearns, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2022 Aromas of climbing in a sappy tree as a kid, of grassy hedgerows in France in spring, of maple syrup, molasses, malt balls, lapsang souchong tea and orange juice—a sort of quixotic brew of rounded but novel aromas characteristic of coloroful Cadillac wines. —

Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 Warren is a fixture of the left in Washington and an outspoken critic of many business interests — and she's attracted Republican candidates vying to make names for themselves with quixotic campaigns. —

Mike Deehan, Axios, 8 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for quixotic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quixotic

Adjective

Owning a cat can even improve our romantic relationships.

Jackie (Ott) Jaakola, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Their relationship, perhaps romantic, perhaps not, upends both of their lives.

Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025