Thesaurus results for WHIM

Q: How is the word 'whim' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of whim are caprice , crotchet , and vagary . While all these words mean "an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire," whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination. // an odd antique that was bought on a whim

Q: Where would 'caprice' be a reasonable alternative to 'whim'?

While in some cases nearly identical to whim , caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness. // by sheer caprice she quit her job

Q: When can 'crotchet' be used instead of 'whim'?

The words crotchet and whim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference. // a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

Q: When would 'vagary' be a good substitute for 'whim'?

The meanings of vagary and whim largely overlap; however, vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire. // he had been prone to strange vagaries

whim

noun

ˈ(h)wim

Definition of whim next

as in notion

a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action on a whim, we stopped at the roadside stand to get ice cream

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word whim distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of whim are caprice, crotchet, and vagary. While all these words mean "an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire," whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination.

an odd antique that was bought on a whim

Where would caprice be a reasonable alternative to whim?

While in some cases nearly identical to whim, caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness.

by sheer caprice she quit her job

When can crotchet be used instead of whim?

The words crotchet and whim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference.

a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

When would vagary be a good substitute for whim?

The meanings of vagary and whim largely overlap; however, vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire.

he had been prone to strange vagaries

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 whim Import more electric power Building more transmission to import electricity from out-of-state generators is not climate-friendly, leaves Maryland more vulnerable to the whims of others, and would be resisted by residents affected by the transmission. —

Alex Pavlak, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2025 Here weapons ordered into existence decades ago to fight the West were revived for final acts against a new generation of Russian soldiers, sent over the border by the whim of the Kremlin’s latest occupant — a long and winding case of the boomerang effect, aided by Chinese consumer tech. —

C.j. Chivers Robert Fass Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024 No description can capture the rush of the game or the general anarchy wrought by the whims of the dice and the spontaneity of the players. —

Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2024 Fraught alliances, palace politics, knifings in the dark, and Trump’s whims will send economic security policy reeling. —

Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for whim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whim

Noun

Like an adult version of the Heathers of Heathers, the trio are bound by a notion of friendship that is stronger than the truth it is based on.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
Not all of these movies have made money, but all of them bask in the glow of success, heralding the notion that the business is confident of doing well while doing good.

— Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2025