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 The one traditional snack from the food trucks in the courtyard with our fabulous team is always fun and yummy when the temperatures drop at night. Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 These ladies love fabulous jewelry — and where better to borrow from than the collection of the star known for her spectacular sparklers? Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026 Happy birthday to Oprah — 72, fit, and fabulous. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 29 Jan. 2026 Babyletto delivers a bunk bed so fabulous, your child might actually be sort of let down by their graduation to a full-size bed. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • At the world premiere of Margot Robbie's buzzy new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, the Australian actress paid tribute to Elizabeth Taylor's legendary Hollywood romance with Richard Burton by donning Taylor's iconic Cartier Taj Mahal necklace on the red carpet.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Over the years, the Liechtenstein and her husband, Prince Alexander von Liechtenstein, reportedly spent millions restoring and modernizing the various buildings, following an earlier renovation by the legendary designer Renzo Mongiardino.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Thank you all for a wonderful discussion.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The team Pep Guardiola built in the early 2010s, combining the wonderful passing of Xavi Hernandez and Andrés Iniesta with the twinkling magic of Lionel Messi, will forever be remembered.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This could even include being part of a role-play activity that is based on their favorite storyline, a nostalgic scene or even a fictional world.
    Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Featuring Tim McGraw, Eric Church, and Morgan Wallen, the song finds each artist inhabiting a specific member of the landowning (fictional) McArthur family.
    Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Her signature red curls were piled atop her head into an updo secured with a lovely headband.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 28 Jan. 2026
  • That insurance plays such a material role in shaping Simon’s dilemma is a lovely bit of mundanity.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Corridors are bedecked in vivid wallpaper with oversized flora and animals, real and mythical, and the hotel’s art collection that meets your eye around every corner is a go-for-broke assemblage of everything from old-world oils to ambitious mixed media and 20th-century American photography.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Buddhist Symbolism And Pop-Culture Surprises Even the walk to the temple’s main hall, surrounded by a watery moat, is a mythical spectacle.
    Vicky Smith, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • His style obviously was amazing.
    Patrick McEnroe, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Hokkaido is a large island blessed with exceptional seafood, so not surprisingly, Sapporo has amazing sushi even by Japan’s lofty standards, and Hokkaido is world famous for its scallops.
    Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The bottom three stars can then be used to point the way to the Andromeda galaxy, by following an imaginary line from the 'base' of the stellar triangle up through the bright star Shedar and beyond, as shown in the finder map above.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
  • In demonstrating the technology to CalMatters, using an imaginary 56-year-old female patient who complained of trouble breathing, Scope asked several follow-up questions to drill down on her symptoms.
    Cal Matters, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The German is an excellent all-round forward who excels in bringing the best out of the teammates around him.
    Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • While not every product in the brand’s SOS collection includes hypochlorous acid (an excellent anti-acneic ingredient), the serum does.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

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