1
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
decided they would rather go without dinner than pay the hotel restaurant's fancy prices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in detailed
made or done with great care or with much detail
we're having a little get-together after the concert—nothing fancy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in dream
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality
a writer with a prodigious talent for creating fancies that captivate readers young and old
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in whim
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action
is this a serious interest in music, or just your latest fancy that will be forgotten after a week?
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in liking
positive regard for something
now that he's rich he's taken a fancy to expensive sports cars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in imagination
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others
to fans of Lewis Carroll, the animal creations of his fertile fancy are as real as any creature to be found at the zoo
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to imagine
to form a mental picture of
try to fancy, if you can, our mother on an elephant when she was touring India
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to enjoy
to take pleasure in
the teacher didn't fancy the idea of failing the student, even if he was the class clown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of fancy
Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Maia, meanwhile, spends all day frantically trying to get her fancy birthday dinner reservation to accept a fifth person at the last minute.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
While some old businesses have closed due to high rents and fewer local shoppers, several new fancy — and casual — restaurants and stores have recently opened, bringing fresh buzz.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Trump's first term was plagued by internal sabotage from bureaucrats and agency officers who fancied themselves a coequal branch of government.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fancy
Adjective
The comedian celebrated a chill, fancy night out Friday at Kiki on the River in Miami, in head-to-toe designer Dior duds and a white 10 gallon hat.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Maia, meanwhile, spends all day frantically trying to get her fancy birthday dinner reservation to accept a fifth person at the last minute.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
Ultra Skelly is suitable for year-round use if that tickles your fancy.
—PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
While some old businesses have closed due to high rents and fewer local shoppers, several new fancy — and casual — restaurants and stores have recently opened, bringing fresh buzz.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
Not simply between humans, who fancy themselves the center of the universe, but between any living thing?
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Trump's first term was plagued by internal sabotage from bureaucrats and agency officers who fancied themselves a coequal branch of government.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancy
Adjective
-
There was excessive growth of microtubules that wasn’t caused by an increase in gene activity, but likely due to the cells failing to clear away old or misfolded proteins.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Nov. 2025
-
But Walpole’s excitement was curbed when they were flagged for excessive celebration.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The Associated Press learned the identities of four of the men - and pieced together details about at least five others - who were slain, providing the first detailed account of those who died in the strikes.—
NPR,
NPR,
8 Nov. 2025
-
His views of their unconventional garments are painterly and romantic—expressionist evocations rather than detailed transcriptions of the clothes.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Blending Sufi classics, absurdist dreams, careful mathematical calculations and lyrical narratives, Ismailov invents an ingenious transnational poetics of love and longing for the digital age.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Opening Auburn Taverna is a lifelong dream of Callis, whose background is in education.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Since the beginning of this administration, Silicon Valley’s biggest bosses have appeased the president, capitulating to his every whim — agreeing to pay export taxes, giving away equity to the government, defunding schools for Latino students and ending diversity programs.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times editorial,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Lawrence propels herself through space like a woman possessed, and Ramsay underscores her mysterious inner drive with music and rhythm, letting songs illustrate Grace’s moods and whims, from the innocent to the romantic to the punishing.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The overall body remains a little too chunky for our liking, but the front fascia and roofline have been modified to more closely resemble the vehicle that inspired this build.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Bring Out The Wool Socks Are the temps outside start getting a little chilly for your liking?—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For nearly half a century, the Hollywood Bowl has been the stage where John’s imagination meets the hearts of millions.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
-
My daughter’s imagination inspires me.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
We’re largely left to imagine her fears for an uncertain future, her grief for an unknown, unborn child and her thoughts on becoming a symbolic figure in the outside world, with another woman’s name to boot.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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And if that can happen to retail giants with decades of consumer goodwill, imagine the stakes for entertainment and cultural brands — where loyalty is fleeting, audiences are global and competition is relentless.—
Kimberly S. Reed,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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If this group of hardened degenerates was able to enjoy the action at this level, who, exactly, are the spiritual victims of sports betting?—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This is evident in their signature programs, such as those that recognize excellence among teachers, coaches, and healthcare workers, as well as initiatives that bring the community together to enjoy great local restaurants on the firm’s tab.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancy. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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