1
as in graphic
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 imaginary
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
-
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
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Rocky, too, recently opted to wear a graphic women’s overcoat from Chanel’s Métiers d'art show.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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An imaginary line drawn through the stars Bellatrix in Orion and Alnitak (the lowest star in Orion's Belt), extended about twice its own length, also leads to Murzam.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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And there are no effects, there are no imaginary monsters.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Displaying knickknacks on trays is one easy way to corral visual clutter, and sticking to a limited color palette throughout your home will make your other design choices look more intentional.—
Tessa Cooper,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
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Polka dots bring visual interest without overwhelming a look, pairing easily with solid staples.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Coogler's Jim Crow-era film -- the rare horror movie to win the academy's favor -- conjures a mythical allegory of Black life.—
JAKE COYLE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
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Coogler’s Jim Crow-era film — the rare horror movie to win the academy’s favor — conjures a mythical allegory of Black life.—
Jake Coyle,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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As one of four special photographic effects supervisors credited on the 1968 classic — Trumbull, Wally Veevers and Tom Howard were the others — Pederson helped create stars, planets, spaceships and the unforgettable five-minute Star Gate sequence.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Jan. 2026
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Several officers who fought the rioters said the hardest thing to deal with has been the effort by many to play down the violence, despite a massive trove of video and photographic evidence documenting it.—
Mary Clare Jalonick,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Since then, fans have been looking for more ways to dive into their obsession over the love story between fictional hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
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Baron Cohen’s portrayal of Borat, a fictional journalist from the former Soviet state, plays into stereotypes held by Westerners about the central Asian country while satirizing the United States, where Borat tries to trick politicians and others into compromising themselves.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Visible on some stones are pictorial narratives and symbols—words between worlds.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Dec. 2025
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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
Adjective
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The state has lost track of roughly 30,000 children believed to be receiving vouchers, but the state already knows that some fraudulent organizations created fictitious students and claimed vouchers in their name.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
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The film opens with an introduction to Ministry of Not Forgetting, a fictitious research facility where Tilda Swinton and George MacKay are seen opening an inquiry into Faithfull’s life and career.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imaginal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginal. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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