1
as in graphical
consisting of or relating to pictures
after a desensitizing series of imaginal exposures to the feared object, the phobic person is then exposed to the actual object
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in mythic
not real and existing only in the imagination
the equator is merely an imaginal line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imaginal
Peter [Merry] likes to use is that, when a caterpillar is becoming a butterfly, new ‘imaginal cells’ emerge.
—
Big Think, 7 Aug. 2025
With one technique, for example—called imaginal exposure—you might be asked to visualize the process of going to the airport, boarding the plane, and experiencing a bad bout of turbulence.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 10 May 2024
Mercury entering into Pisces turns up the imaginal juice.
—USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
Then, from bundles of cells known as imaginal disks, a new body takes form.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023
Big Think, 7 Aug. 2025
With one technique, for example—called imaginal exposure—you might be asked to visualize the process of going to the airport, boarding the plane, and experiencing a bad bout of turbulence.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 10 May 2024
Mercury entering into Pisces turns up the imaginal juice.
—USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
Then, from bundles of cells known as imaginal disks, a new body takes form.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginal
Adjective
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Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.—
John Lynch,
Arkansas Online,
16 Oct. 2025
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After a drone strike destroys her home, Alice, a graphic designer in her thirties, finds unexpected love with Vadym, a soldier briefly on leave.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Of course, specific local conditions vary on either side of that imaginary line.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Now draw an imaginary line diagonally through the Dipper's bowl from Dubhe (the upper right star in the bowl) down through Phecda (the lower left star in the bowl) and extend that line downward about twice the distance between those two stars and that will bring you to the vicinity of Cor Caroli.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Christiaan Triebert is a Times reporter working on the Visual Investigations team, a group that combines traditional reporting with digital sleuthing and analysis of visual evidence to verify and source facts from around the world.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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That’s preserved in over 300 medieval and Renaissance manuscript witnesses and has served as the basis of untold thousands of visual representations of Jesus Christ.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Linus waits in a pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin, a mythical Santa Claus-like figure who supposedly brings gifts every Halloween.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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Linus decides to skip the celebrations to wait in a pumpkin patch for the mythical Great Pumpkin.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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No, in his photographic selfies, Eli Fuchs was simply a young Brooklyn dude trying to create an idealized image of himself—to picture himself as a star.—
David Kamp,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
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Tim Curry's marvelous Frank was a monster of self-regard, and Tim knew exactly how to give this evil genius his head and Mick served it up on a photographic plate.—
Sara Belcher,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Nicolas Cage was rumored to be interested in playing Charlie and his fictitious twin, Donald.—
Susan Orlean,
New Yorker,
11 Oct. 2025
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However fictitious, these uplifting moments are currently missing from our real-life news cycle.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Much more easy to decipher are pictorial sidewall stamps, some of which include: All-Season: These are the cheapest possible tires, with the least possible performance.—
Wes Siler,
Outside,
16 Sep. 2025
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Yeager was one of Hef’s go-to photographers, shooting eight centerfolds along with pictorial spreads.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Blending fictional stories with real historical figures and events, the show captures the promise and pain of the American dream, exploring themes of race, class and identity that continue to resonate decades later.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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That’s on top of the other revenue streams, such as sponsorship deals for the fictional APXGP team.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imaginal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginal. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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