fabulist

noun

fab·​u·​list ˈfa-byə-list 

1

: a creator or writer of fables

2

: liar

fabulist adjective

or fabulistic

ˌfa-byə-ˈli-stik 

Synonyms of fabulist

• liar
• storyteller

Examples of fabulist in a Sentence

a once highly admired journalist whose reputation is now that of a disgraced fabulist

Recent Examples on the Web

Human fabulists aren’t the only ones who sometimes lure tourists to less-than-authentic sites. — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

The defense denied the allegations, claiming that Davis was a serial fabulist seeking to entertain and profit off long-standing rumors connecting him to the case. — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Jason Arday, a neurodivergent Black Cambridge professor who was feted as a wunderkind by some and denigrated as a fabulist by others, resigned earlier this month amidst accusations of plagiarism. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026

Academia—like business, electoral politics, and the tech sector—has loads of fabulists and tons of bunk. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from Middle French fabuliste, from Latin fābula "talk, account, fable entry 1" + French -iste -ist entry 1

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1