fantasize
verb
fan·ta·size
ˈfan-tə-ˌsīz 
fantasized; fantasizing
: to indulge in reverie : to create or develop imaginative and often fantastic views or ideas
… doing things I'd fantasized about in my sheltered childhood.—
Diane Arbus
Diane Arbus
: to portray in the mind : fancy
likes to fantasize herself as very wealthy
Examples of fantasize in a Sentence
She fantasized that she had won a million dollars.
all those lottery players fantasizing themselves as living in extravagant luxury
Recent Examples on the Web
Dartmouth will never be affected by the fundamental transformation of America that Campbell fantasizes will soon be devastating Winthrop, Holden and the rest of the towns.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Storylines like this, in our age of escalating eat-the-rich sentiment, allow viewers to vicariously enjoy beautiful homes and high-maintenance bodies while also fantasizing about (or, for more comfortable audiences, safely exploring fears of) class warfare.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
The story follows trauma nurse Aly Cappellucci, who obsesses over masked men on social media, fantasizing about them chasing her down.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 26 Jan. 2026
But what was more interesting to me are those who aren’t fantasizing about being in a fictional world, but who are fantasizing about being a different reader, in a more secure nonfictional world.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fantasize
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Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Storylines like this, in our age of escalating eat-the-rich sentiment, allow viewers to vicariously enjoy beautiful homes and high-maintenance bodies while also fantasizing about (or, for more comfortable audiences, safely exploring fears of) class warfare.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
The story follows trauma nurse Aly Cappellucci, who obsesses over masked men on social media, fantasizing about them chasing her down.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 26 Jan. 2026
But what was more interesting to me are those who aren’t fantasizing about being in a fictional world, but who are fantasizing about being a different reader, in a more secure nonfictional world.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fantasize
Cite this Entry
“Fantasize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fantasize. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
fantasize
verb
fan·ta·size
variants
or British fantasise
fantasized or British fantasised; fantasizing or British fantasising
: to portray in the mind by fantasy
likes to fantasize herself as very famous
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