Definition of fabulousnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fabulous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fabulous are apocryphal, fictitious, legendary, and mythical. While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

When is apocryphal a more appropriate choice than fabulous?

While the synonyms apocryphal and fabulous are close in meaning, apocryphal implies an unknown or dubious source or origin or may imply that the thing itself is dubious or inaccurate.

a book that repeats many apocryphal stories

Where would fictitious be a reasonable alternative to fabulous?

The words fictitious and fabulous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.

fictitious characters

When might legendary be a better fit than fabulous?

The meanings of legendary and fabulous largely overlap; however, legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

When could mythical be used to replace fabulous?

Although the words mythical and fabulous have much in common, mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.

mythical creatures

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 fabulous So why not a ballet about fabulous bling? Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026 Have a fabulous weekend, and happy spring. Vytas Reid, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026 Grand Opening The entire day culminated with a fabulous grand opening celebration with some familiar faces walking the red carpet alongside Martha. Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 16 Mar. 2026 The actress, who had an unforgettable triumph at last year's ceremony, returned to Los Angeles's Dolby Theatre tonight to serve up another fabulous look. Christina Perrier, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • The key to her game is her instinct and desire to get the ball in the net, which Aristodemo said is just like her favorite player, Argentina’s legendary Lionel Messi.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The 6-seed Irish stunned the 2-seed Commodores 67-64 behind a legendary performance from All-American guard Hannah Hidalgo.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The teams got invaluable data — and some wonderful video too.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Books Are Magic, a wonderful bookshop owned by novelist Emma Staub, alone could suck up an entire morning.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Clavicular is like a blend of Dorian Gray and Patrick Bateman, those fictional creations of gay authors out to probe the sinister side of male vanity.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The prologue that opens Ragtime loudly announces the musical’s epic ambitions as its nine fictional characters and six of its historical figures introduce themselves with third-person narration and shout-singing.
    Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Here, though, lovely poetic imagery is scrambled with old and alternate timelines, sending the reverie in unanticipated and often comic directions.
    Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The foyer has a step-up entry from the front door, which feels elegant, and the living room is spacious with lovely touches in every direction — notice the built-ins with the arches that bookend the fireplace.
    Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Sierra Canyon finished the season 30-1 and is in the conversation for a mythical national championship.
    Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • But Arirang can be frustrating as a collection of sometimes aspirationally simplistic literary concepts from a group with a catalogue of songs brandishing mythic notions and philosophical concepts (sometimes hilariously).
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Lucky for us, the Amazon Big Spring Sale started today, and some amazing tablet deals are here to make your life easier.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Hallauer and Josefberg have absolutely amazing chemistry, Adeline plays Lorraine to flirty perfection, Bindeman takes nerdiness to a whole new level, and Tucker’s voice is, well, golden.
    Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Bartle replied that the two Kansas Cities were really one big city, separated only by an imaginary state line.
    Elijah Winkler, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
  • In the Williams-Paisley household, even an imaginary man can cause a marital kerfuffle.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Horned Frogs had a mix of air raid and veer-and-shoot principles under Briles, but are expected to move more to a pro-style scheme under Sammis, who had excellent success with that style of offense at UConn.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
  • In the pre-show rooms, both real-life actors seen were excellent at interacting with real-life visitors and prerecorded monotone movie stars.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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