Definition of fabulousnext
1
2
3
4

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 China’s economic boom has produced fabulous wealth, including more than 800 billionaires. Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026 Pacific Grove has a quaint downtown with cute shops like The Quill, a fabulous stationery and gift store, and beautiful boutique hotels. Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026 The best little fest in New England returns once more with a diverse and fabulous lineup from the Devil Makes Three to Margo Price to Marty Stuart to local guitar killer Quinn Sullivan. Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 When the picture on the far left was made, the fabulous George Herman Ruth, an orphan, was making $80,000 a year knocking home runs for the New York Yankees. Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • These cards and subsequent ones also have rarity levels from rare all the way up to legendary.
    Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Looking at all acts, Drake and Taylor Swift sit side-by-side behind the legendary rock band with 15 leaders apiece.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Nature aside, Cape Town boasts a wonderful juxtaposition of old world architecture and contemporary design across its vibrant neighborhoods.
    Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Both films had wonderful ensembles, ingenious writing and an unmistakable sense of occasion.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The first season was filmed in Wales and set in the fictional North Wales village of Morfa Halen.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • This is where the creation of the aforementioned fictional Barrow’s Green came about, which eventually came to life in the form of The Six Bells Inn.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The bathroom is lovely with deep red marble tiling, a large tub, and views over the beach.
    Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Have a lovely weekend all and enjoy these last few weeks of August!
    Sam Woodward, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Morris’s book focuses only on the representation of real animals; cataloguing mythic and hybrid creatures would take another volume entirely.
    Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Equally jubilant and terrifying, his size brings both John and Jim Ross to this mythic quality.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Christina has amazing taste and loves color but also has a sense of restraint.
    Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2026
  • For all the robots’ amazing (if unsettling) feats, let’s be real—their hijinks are too funny not to watch on repeat.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Out on a wooden platform extending over San Diego’s Mission Bay, young women sway from side to side, riding an imaginary wave to the beats.
    Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Just before the pandemic, Manhattan’s MCC Theater staged a show called All the Natalie Portmans, about a gay Black teenage cinephile who envisions the actor as a kind of manic pixie imaginary friend.
    Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Fjord, Cristian Mungiu’s legal thriller starring podcast favorite Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan; Hope, an action film starring Squid Game breakout Hoyeon; and Gentle Monster, led by an excellent Léa Seydoux.
    Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Servite 0-1 (62) The Friars lost to an excellent Centennial of Corona team, 41-21, in Rick Garretson’s first game as Servite’s head coach.
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!