FABULOUS Synonyms: 322 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fabulous

adjective

ˈfa-byə-ləs

Definition of fabulous

as in legendary

based on, described in, or being a myth the city of Phoenix is named after a fabulous bird that every 500 years destroys itself with fire, only to rise again from its own ashes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wonderful

causing wonder or astonishment the fabulous sites of dazzlingly lit Las Vegas

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fictional

not real and existing only in the imagination a story of a fabulous land where the people know nothing of war and live together in perfect harmony

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lovely

of the very best kind we had a fabulous time on our vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 From comfy sneakers to fabulous flats, her picks couldn’t be more versatile. — Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 6 July 2026 From the opening kickoff, Belgium had the Americans on the back foot, and only a fabulous save from USA goalkeeper Matt Freese kept Belgium from going ahead in the first minute of the game. — Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Yes, Anjana Vasan is can’t-take-your-eyes-off-her fabulous as a PhD student who moonlights as the guitarist for the eponymous all-female, all-Muslim punk band. — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026 His own history, and that of previous World Cup-winning sides, suggests that one of his fabulous front four — probably Doue — will be sacrificed in the knockout phase. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fabulous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous

Adjective

Ronaldo, 41, one of the most legendary scorers in the history of soccer, burst into tears, soaking up the final moments of the game.

— Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 7 July 2026
The film is Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic poem, following the legendary Greek king Odysseus on his perilous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.

— Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

Definition of legendary

Adjective

The resort provides a hiking guide—Nafea Abdeljalil was wonderful—and of course transport.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
Izzy, a vulnerable, dry-humored lesbian, played with a hummingbird intensity by the wonderful Molly Bernard, marvels that the experience is hard to describe to anyone who hasn’t been through it, like sharing a dream.

— Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 July 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

The duo, known for fictional young adult content on YouTube, plans to keep leveling up their material while keeping it native to the internet.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
The Paramount+ show follows Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler on a new adventure in the fictional South Texas town of Rio Paloma.

— Brayden Garcia July 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026

Definition of fictional

Adjective

Especially the guy who bangs a wrecking ball against the historic East Wing to make room for an incongruous ballroom monstrosity, who mars the sacred Oval Office with gold glitter and paves over the lovely Rose Garden.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
All in all, launching the book has been an exhausting and lovely gift of an experience.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

Definition of lovely

Adjective

But a wiser course might be to emphasize a kind of counter-nostalgia, reclaiming a mythic past for the forces of tolerance and democratic generosity.

— Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Together, the band brings to life a mythic world of ancient heroes and villains, attracting an excited audience of headbangers and fantasy fanatics, many of whom show up in costume.

— Steve Appleford, SPIN, 29 June 2026

Definition of mythical

Adjective

So learn to love it and use it to help people to see the constraint as something amazing and beneficial like free filtering, a gift of what not to do, or even a head start, not a smaller box to play in.

— Nir Bashan, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Networking is an amazing way to connect you with people in your professional field and to give you insight into your career trajectory, Libra.

— Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Definition of amazing

Adjective

Hop aboard an imaginary Vespa, or perhaps a high-speed train eastward to the boot country, where not every meal comes blistering out of a brick oven or ladled from a bubbling pot.

— Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026
Some rehearse using a bedpan — placing it in the right spot, cleaning out the imaginary contents.

— Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 30 June 2026

Definition of imaginary

Adjective

While San Francisco’s bullpen is struggling, Rogers is in the midst of another excellent season after signing a three-year, $37 million deal to join the defending American League champions.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Guests can borrow, for no charge, one of four Mate e-bikes for spins around the park or beyond, say to Tanimachi nearby for local neighborhood vibes, including charming izakayas, gyoza shops, and excellent, one-woman restaurants such as Tachiaoi.

— Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of excellent

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fabulists

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“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of fabulous

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