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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 Monthly facials and lymphatic massages by the fabulous Jacqueline Lozano, and brows carved to perfection courtesy of Saidy Salasyu. Cierra Black, Essence, 11 June 2025 In the film — which is based on the stage musical by Terrence McNally, John Kander and Fred Ebb — Lopez plays Ingrid Luna, a fabulous on-screen diva whose most famous role is that of a spider woman, capable of killing her lovers with a kiss. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 June 2025 Joanna Lumley The absolutely fabulous Joanna Lumley of Absolutely Fabulous fame made her film debut in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service as an Angel of Death, one of 12 women from around the world brainwashed by Blofeld (Telly Savalas). Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 3 June 2025 Randy Breed: Mixed Age: 10 months Randy is a fabulous guy who navigates the world around him with charisma and positive energy, despite being deaf. Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • The English cook and writer’s 2006 book is a heartfelt hymn for wonderful food and flavors, without hours spent toiling in the kitchen or overly formal settings.
    Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 7 June 2025
  • Into this mid-1980s maelstrom stepped the fanzines and a wonderful array of titles.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • The crook of land that frames Lewes to the east, Cape Henlopen, was first spotted by European eyes in 1609 by English explorer Henry Hudson and is now a lovely state park.
    Tim Neville, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2025
  • Along with his lovely wife Joyce, Mr. Smith continued to be very active back in his home parish at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Aurora, even serving as interim principal of its school in 2003-2004.
    Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
Adjective
  • And as one dad recently shared on Reddit, the days of explaining things with talk of storks or other mythical tales are likely over.
    Christian Dashiell, Parents, 7 June 2025
  • Acceptance means acknowledging that zero-failure AI systems are mythical.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Here’s a look at his amazing performance. Notes . . .
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • Our region also has a number of other destinations that might not necessarily have the Dark Sky designation, but their clear skies, lack of light pollution, or access to astronomical instruments allow visitors to see star clusters, planets, and other amazing features of the night sky.
    Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
Adjective
  • That’s the assessment in Ari Aster’s Eddington, which views that collective national trauma through the microcosm of a fictitious New Mexico small town.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
  • The trials and tribulations of the fictitious protagonist, however, have precedents.
    Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Greenery also makes an excellent addition to a resortcore space.
    Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 June 2025
  • Robin will make an excellent addition to our great Kentucky State Senate Majority!
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Steve Bould, a first-team coach and a legendary figure at the club from his own playing days, had wanted to turn the lad into a centre-half.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • The film, which premiered at Berlinale 2024, centers on legendary architect and designer Michele De Lucchi as the history of concrete is explored.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • But what were his motivations for the sculptural cut that reduced the body by a third, literally disabling all of the fetish’s functions except for those of its primary feature, the design, thereby intensifying it, endowing it even with an imaginary, almost futuristic acceleration?
    Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • Dairy farmers should not be the villains in an imaginary climate change narrative - they should be respected as part of the backbone of our state's rural economy and heritage.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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