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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 Lola is the National’s scrumptious dining spot, often with live music and a fabulous drag brunch show on select Saturdays. Jenny Peters, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025 Trailing varieties make a fabulous addition to fall containers, providing cool contrast to more fiery fall blooms. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025 Indeed, the spot had more than a few fabulous amenities, particularly the plumbing. Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025 The mom and new grandma is fierce, fabulous and funny — a total triple threat. Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Stargazing is a wonderful pursuit that appeals to both the casual and dedicated observer, but views outside of cities are often much clearer and brighter thanks to different levels of light pollution.
    Harry Bennett, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Robbie's French twist updo would be a lovely choice for a bride, while a sky-high style like Cardi B's would be fun for a holiday party.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Beautifully made, with lovely harmony, this is consistently one of the finest examples of Satèn; simply delicious, enjoy over the next three to seven years.
    Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Nowadays, these routes and addresses can sometimes call to my mind the Camino Real—the old Spanish road lost and buried but commuted upon daily—or that mythic expanse of the Mediterranean where Odysseus lost his way and people live and work to this day.
    Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
  • For baseball aficionados, the name Sandy Koufax is almost mythical.
    Steve Futterman, NPR, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Malleable and with a matte finish, when worked through the hair, this white paste keeps flyaways at bay, musses up the ends of short cuts, and sculpts amazing second-day texture.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Those guys just haulin' butt around on there will be pretty amazing to see.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The mockumentary about a fictitious paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania aired from 2005 to 2013.
    Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The bad news about this fictitious mountainside hole-in-the-wall?
    Tim McGovern, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Harry Dean Stanton is excellent.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Moisture recovery ranged from good to excellent, with morning relative humidity levels between 55% and 88%.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Nick Saban, the legendary Alabama Crimson Tide coach turned ESPN analyst, likes Miami’s chances of taking the win at home and ending USF’s early Cinderella run to the 2025 season.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Yes, Neil Young was finally back at Shoreline Amphitheatre on Friday night, making his first appearance at the Mountain View venue since the last chapter of the legendary annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts unfolded in 2016.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Few characters, real or imaginary, have sustained this type of stage and screen presence for so many decades.
    Michael Taube, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But Laura, used to getting away with murder, just neglected Daniel’s imaginary corpse after conjuring it.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fabulous

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