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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 Hours after cancelling his own appearance at the event on Monday, May 5, James couldn't help but show off how fabulous his wife looked on the carpet in New York City. Natasha Dye, People.com, 6 May 2025 Levi's Wedgie bootcut jeans $98 LEVI’S Vince Naomi loafers $350 NORDSTROM Straight jeans and soccer shoes are the timeless combination to look fabulous this season. Renata Joffre, Vogue, 4 May 2025 All of this means it’s been a fabulous week for stargazing. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Most of these are in the genus Echeveria, and there is an almost endless assortment of fabulous shapes, colors, and growth forms. Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • Washington Capitals, won 4-1 against Montreal Last week: 7 Sean: 4 Dom: 9 Pierre-Luc Dubois had a fine first round, but zero goals and two assists were still a step down from his wonderful regular season.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • The wonderful thing is that Carrie Preston is wonderful with everybody.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Flavors of light red fruit, cherry tart and sparking acidity with a lovely finish and pronounced length.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Twain’s final decades were his Job years, the opposite of quiet and smooth and lovely.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Chicago Bears, unofficial offseason champs more than once in recent years, could be pushing for another mythical crown.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • For the uninitiated, these mythical concepts, Vril and Agartha, both originate in books.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Midway through game three, Agassi was clearly winded from playing in the oppressive Florida humidity, but after an amazing rally at 7-7 in the third the teenagers capitulated and Waters/Agassi were able to win and move forward.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • Thank you to our amazing cast, crew, and producers and writers!
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • It’s been a full decade since Poot Lovato had her last taste of freedom — and according to Demi Lovato, the hilarious, fictitious alter ego is staying locked up for many decades more.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Officers of the court have a duty of candor to the court and an obligation not to file fictitious lawsuits that have no basis in fact or law.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Pumpkin Seeds Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of iron.
    Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, Health, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Incorporating a mudroom into your home is an excellent way to add value to your space.
    Sarah Lyon, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Agartha, which is big in the occultist canon, refers to the belief in a legendary society within the Earth’s core.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Her meticulous research and historical erudition are legendary, and her belief in the magic of fashion is unwavering.
    Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This means flopping through different symbolic rooms of an imaginary house — a schtick that Danielle Deadwyler also had to do for the same reason in The Woman in the Yard, a movie that might still be playing when Thunderbolts* hits the cineplex.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The deeper themes about race and history and culture, as well as the sheer terror and excitement, all feed audiences craving to confront our demons and fears, but in a safe imaginary setting – all the more important when those fears increasingly stalk the daytime for so many people.
    Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

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