fancied
adjective
fan·cied
ˈfan(t)-sēd 
: imagined or believed to be true or real
a fancied resemblance
I can't remember any damn memo of mine at all, but I have the distinct impression that almost all of them were written in anger over real or fancied wrongs …—
James Thurber
James Thurber… like the split infinitive and other fancied lapses from verbal rectitude …—Kingsley Amis
Kingsley AmisExamples of fancied in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The team sits only one point behind two of the most fancied teams: last season’s outright champions from Spain and this season’s current leader, Great Britain.
—Andrew Rice, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
That being said, president Joan Laporta is adamant that Barca will be in a better position to splash out money in the upcoming transfer markets, with Erling Haaland the most fancied reinforcement if his contract really does contain a clause that sets his price tag at $87mn that summer.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2021
The 25-year-old Frost led from start to finish to give trainer Paul Nicholls his 12th success in the race at Kempton Park on the outskirts of London as more fancied contenders fell away.
—Paul Gittings, CNN, 26 Dec. 2020
Think of the Murph as a fancied up version of Hamilton's good old Khaki Field watch.
—Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 7 Mar. 2023
The researchers first identified eight music loving volunteers who reported consistently experiencing chills of pleasure when listening to their favorite music (most of the subjects were classical music fans, but a few fancied jazz or rock).
—Eliza Strickland, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2011
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.
Andrew Rice, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
That being said, president Joan Laporta is adamant that Barca will be in a better position to splash out money in the upcoming transfer markets, with Erling Haaland the most fancied reinforcement if his contract really does contain a clause that sets his price tag at $87mn that summer.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2021
The 25-year-old Frost led from start to finish to give trainer Paul Nicholls his 12th success in the race at Kempton Park on the outskirts of London as more fancied contenders fell away.
—Paul Gittings, CNN, 26 Dec. 2020
Think of the Murph as a fancied up version of Hamilton's good old Khaki Field watch.
—Christian Gollayan, Men's Health, 7 Mar. 2023
The researchers first identified eight music loving volunteers who reported consistently experiencing chills of pleasure when listening to their favorite music (most of the subjects were classical music fans, but a few fancied jazz or rock).
—Eliza Strickland, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Fancied.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fancied. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share