Definition of fabulousnext
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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 Activities such as visiting the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, enjoying fresh seafood, boating, shopping, and savoring fabulous ice cream await. Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 31 May 2026 With her most relaxed looks, Johnson's wardrobe challenges the idea that elegance can only be achieved with heels, giving us more options to look fabulous. Michel Mejía, Glamour, 30 May 2026 No recent performance of Hiller’s looms as large, though, as his warmly cryptic episodic turn on Pluribus as Larry the friendly biker (complete with fabulous bike shorts). David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2026 Running, walking or strutting in your fabulous Pride attire are all encouraged at this inclusive event where fitness meets celebration. Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • After cementing her legacy as a legendary comedian with a record-breaking show that will polish the lede to her future obituary, Deborah Vance is ready for her next applause.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 29 May 2026
  • Fraser plays the legendary general (and future president) as a tempestuous mountain of a man, a far cry from the modest and even-keeled Eisenhower of record.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • Cutting a ribbon, celebrating this wonderful binational relationship, and the wonderful Gordie Howe Bridge that is the new crossing linking Windsor and Detroit.
    Paula Wethington, CBS News, 9 June 2026
  • However, while this plant is wonderful for home gardens and dinner tables, not all plants will work well as its neighbor.
    Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • Those crews worked on the Country Club Plaza, in a home in Lee’s Summit and around local soccer fields — all on the Missouri side, even though the fictional Coach Lasso hails from Kansas.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
  • The show, which follows Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler moving to the fictional South Texas town of Rio Paloma, premiered May 15 and airs Fridays on Paramount+ and the Paramount Network.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • Staff are uniformly lovely and helpful.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • Any guy currently punching well above his weight class with a lovely girlfriend knows that truth intuitively.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • Today, the municipality doesn’t seem too eager to promote its affinity for the international language (its tourism office tends to focus more on local castles and caves), but Herzberg has achieved near-mythic status among some Esperantists.
    Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
  • Horses, those strange mythical creatures.
    Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Adjective
  • There’s Chateau de Fère and Les Crayères, which is very imposing and old-fashioned; a couple of very nice funky little boutique hotels (including one owned by the Selosse family who make amazing, and amazingly priced, grower Champagne) and lots of good chambres d'hôtes.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • And then, back comes Katie with another amazing script.
    Stephen Root, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • Someone needs to tell both Salley and her extraneous E to get the hell off my imaginary husband.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 3 June 2026
  • Katie Dippold shaped the show from its very beginnings by way of her passion for both horror and comedy, Hiro Murai is a quiet artist who carries a big imaginary stick.
    Stephen Root, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • There are beautiful lake-side beaches and excellent trout fishing.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 June 2026
  • The jury, under the excellent presidency of Park Chan-wook, who was both generous and confident, had extremely varied and highly democratic debates.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 4 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

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