FANTASM Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

phantasm

noun

ˈfan-ˌta-zəm

variants also fantasm

Definition of phantasm

as in illusion

a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality frightened by the phantasms of his own making

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in apparition

the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people believed that she'd seen the phantasm of her father on the anniversary of his death

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example 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 phantasm No one had meant more to Miami during the past three years, devoting themselves to painstakingly lifting a program plump with the phantasm of a reign long past. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026 In times of increasing cynicism and apathy in the zeitgeist, this phantasm extravaganza — at once humorously deadpan in its playful tableaus and poignantly sincere at its emotional core — feels like a breath of fresh air. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025 But is the gender phantasm as crucial to the global far right as Butler claims? — Katha Pollitt, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2024 Likewise, Poe’s devilish ambiguity, his production of phantasms both real and imagined, undergirds James’s own ventures into the genre. — Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 11 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for phantasm

Recent Examples of Synonyms for phantasm

Noun

However, this daily limitation is an illusion of protection because customers report the number of transactions that day, rather than requiring the crypto kiosk industry to implement available technology to ensure compliance.

— Mike Ryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Zoom out from New York, though, and the illusion starts to fade.

— Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of illusion

Noun

For evening observers, this apparition has been more frustrating than triumphant, with Venus lingering low in the glow of twilight instead of climbing into a commanding position.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 5 Sep. 2026
One minute, the stubble field in front of his stand had been empty, and then suddenly, like an apparition, a whitetail buck had appeared.

— Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of apparition

Noun

However, his raging protectiveness over what might be lost — language, attire, ritual, even memory — grows more pronounced as Rio veers further into phantasmagoria by way of dreams and visions.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
Hobson went on to extol Lucas’ vision and his ability to never waver from his dream for the museum.

— Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of dream

Noun

Back to the ghosts Zwicker also is the author of books about haunted places in New England.

— Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026
The ghost moon The leading explanation, Santos-Sanz explains, is a small shepherd satellite sharing the outer ring’s orbit.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of ghost

Noun

Football is putting itself in a bit of jeopardy, allowing people to experience it without caring, entertaining the fantasy and gambling and the social aspect.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Directed by Kei Oikawa and based on the manga series by Nagano, the fantasy adventure follows Chiikawa and companions traveling to an island paradise before uncovering an ominous threat.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of fantasy

Noun

Combs was a beacon of inspiration not just for the Black community, but for those who admired the classic American spirit of forging one’s own destiny.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Taylor Swift showed her team spirit—in the form of jewelry—at Travis Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs game against the Indianapolis Colts.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of spirit

Noun

Fadal brought up her own phantom smells during a recent podcast conversation with Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist who’s written about and conducted research on this symptom.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026
Both phantoms were packed with thousands of dosimeters, tracking radiation dose over specific phases of the flight rather than just a cumulative total.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026