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

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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 of quixotic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Instead of funneling resources into the quixotic pursuit of job-killing technology, countries should pursue international cooperation with regard to labor mobility. —

Lant Pritchett, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023 At 65, Farrell is the elder statesman of the bunch, yet energetic and full of oddball quixotic charm. —

Katherine Turman, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024 Sam Osbourne regularly visited brothels around the camp and left her for months on quixotic quests for wealth. —

Phyllis Rose, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2024 Cowan also talked with Texas Monthly columnist Molly Ivins, editor Evan Smith, singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver, and former President Bill Clinton about the humorous and quixotic Friedman. —

David Morgan, CBS News, 18 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for quixotic

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