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 My father was a very eclectic and fabulous radio personality. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Red was another major player, from Mariska Hargitay’s fabulous red sequin Monse moment to Chase Infiniti in beaded red Louis Vuitton. — Alex Badia, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026 This is a fabulous period to try to impress VIPS or bosses or even apply for a better job. — Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2026 The Westmeath Room has fabulous yellow and gold Mauny wallpaper and an opulent 18th-century French bed right in the middle. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • What to See A tribute to photographer Irving Penn at the MEP traces his career between 1947 and 2008, including legendary fashion photos from Paris, as well as his collaboration with Japanese designer Issey Miyake.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The Austrian filmmaker and former casting director, who came up under the legendary Michael Haneke, became obsessed with the story and researched hundreds of other examples, from decades before and after.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Reclaiming the work of women selling fish, and the word that was an insult but is now a beautiful brand, is a wonderful turn of phrase and time, to us.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
  • But De Santis is also wonderful at the end of the day, when the sun sets and Milan slowly begins to wind down.
    — Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Although this hypothetical technology was long considered to be exclusively a fictional idea, a growing number of physicists have begun to wonder if warp drives might really be possible, and if not in a practical sense, at least on paper.
    — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • This fictional tale based on real events looks at the impact of civil war on the country, just as Yemen is on the edge of a possible return to the conflict that killed 150,000 and brought many others close to famine.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The restaurant serves a lovely breakfast on the veranda overlooking Ocean Drive as well as lunch and light bites in the piano bar in the lobby.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Then Musgraves, in her first appearance at the VMAs in five years, took over for a lovely solo piano-and-voice performance of Parton’s song.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • In that dialogue, Endymion, the mythical shepherd, is imprisoned in an eternal sleep by Artemis and accosts a stranger who is on his way to Mount Latmus, where Endymion repairs each night to wait for Artemis.
    — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Over the past few decades, Bimota has reached an almost mythical status in the motorcycle community.
    — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The half-day Istanbul tour was amazing, with a visit to Zeyrek Mosque, exploring the Basilica Cistern, and wandering the Spice Market, alive with the most fragrant foodstuffs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The ubiquitous carbon fiber looks amazing, of course, from the wide front intake to the active-aero winglets, fairings, the seat subframe, and even the license plate holder hanging off the tail.
    — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Forte_Forte For spring 2027, Giada Forte embarked on an imaginary journey inspired by the Spice Route, combining nods to destinations from Venice to Egypt to Morocco.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Stewart smiled while on her way to the bench as the ESPN broadcast highlighted Jonquel Jones stirring an imaginary pot on the sidelines.
    — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 27 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Longbridge is an excellent option, especially for those looking to save money.
    — Liz Knueven,Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Pricing for the conversion starts at 100,000 euros, or roughly $113,670, but does not include the donor 944, which runs around $60,000 in excellent condition, according to Hagerty.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster