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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 Over the past two months, the entertaining expert has been spotted wearing caftans at least five times, and each one is more fabulous than the last. Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 31 July 2025 This one’s an equally optimistic throwback story with the fabulous foursome up against Galactus, the devourer of worlds, who could be seen in this day and age as a metaphor for climate change. Steve Horton, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025 Paris might still elude her, but former Runway magazine assistant Emily Charlton is once again stomping the streets of New York City in fabulous fashion. EW.com, 30 July 2025 Seibert’s sage-but-kooky bird (stunningly costumed by Shelby Newport in a fabulous cloak of multicolored neckties, sort of like a bohemian bagman) delivers both great laughs and deep feeling. Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • Caring, smart and fun with a wonderful calming Zen demeanor.
    Lauren Huff Published, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Preserving history is wonderful, but so is safety. — Mary Ellen Stepowany, Baltimore Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Dining was in the lovely dining room or outside under propane heaters with cozy Pendleton blankets.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Hollander’s lovely Wauwatosa location will be shut down for some time, as well — at least six weeks, according to Lowlands Group Founder and CEO Eric Wagner.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • McDonald’s is celebrating the revitalization of the mythical world with an all-new McDonaldland Meal, available starting August 12.
    Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Penned by renowned sommelier Enrico Bernardo, Wine & Travel Mediterranean Islands traverses the region’s mythical places where wine, culture and nature meet.
    Kissa Castaneda, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But each was just a short hop from Tokyo, and the payoff was a deep dive into the many famous temples, shrines and amazing gastronomy of the area.
    Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • That’s such a great, weird, awkward, amazing moment.
    Leia Mendoza, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The trailer is the latest installment in the film’s unique marketing campaign, which has featured seemingly authentic advertisements for the fictitious Rental Family Agency’s unique services.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
  • For security purposes, ministry members use pseudonyms, usually their first name and a fictitious last name, and all mail comes to the church address at 400 East Westminster in Lake Forest.
    Gina Grillo, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • And its large, thin leaves do provide excellent material to us as mulch or in a compost pile.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025
  • In addition to a monthly newsletter covering retirement planning regulations, IRA advisers Ed Slott and Co. also offer an excellent monthly newsletter covering Social Security issues, written by Heather Schreiber.
    Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Vinod Khosla, the legendary billionaire investor who has warned of AI’s potential dangers, says that ultimately, the pair’s rivalry will be good for the ecosystem as a whole.
    John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Designed by one of F1's legendary design gurus and Red Bull Racing's former chief technical director, Adrian Newey, the RB17 has been crafted to deliver F1-level lap times, offering drivers the feeling of racing a Grand Prix challenger.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Another transforms her into the enigmatic hostess of an imaginary cabaret, a nod to her Broadway performance in 2014.
    Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Human rights, utopias, interracial love, ambition, war and betrayal are the ingredients of this film crafted with archival images and an imaginary diary shot on 16mm film that expresses all the modernity of Cabral’s vision of the world.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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