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 Theo gave us a prototype of the perfect boyfriend, a partner who would know how to build a fabulous and funny family for us and with us. Sheletta Brundidge, Twin Cities, 25 July 2025 For a more casual option, Big Wesser Riverside Pub is a fabulous stop to satiate your appetite after—or during—an adventure-centric day. Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 22 July 2025 The actors are so terrific and their chemistry so palpable that the hangout scenes in their fabulous Baxter Building penthouse — with a domestic droid that’s like Rosie the Robot from The Jetsons meets Number 5 from John Badham’s Short Circuit — are some of the movie’s most appealing interludes. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025 Aided by your trusty Maitre D, make use of Viking’s Silver Drinks Package and choose from a myriad of premium wines, beers, and spirits—and of course, fabulous Ports. Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 26 July 2025
  • Brad Schmitt Hey there, new neighbors, and welcome back to our intro to Nashville and all the wonderful things the city has to offer you.
    Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • Luckily, as our experts explained, the rest of the country is just as lovely as these hubs.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2025
  • There’s always been this vibrant, youthful energy and purpose to Oxford that is contained within these ancient buildings which is so, so lovely.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Py for the programming language Python, and Theus for Theseus, after the Greek hero who killed the mythical Minotaur.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 21 July 2025
  • There’s a great new smiley face, a mythical creature and a playful whale.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • Apple’s iOS 26 is coming this fall, along with some amazing new features for your iPhone, many of which are powered by Apple Intelligence AI — alongside a new design language dubbed Liquid Glass.
    Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • The shoes have amazing cushioning that provides serious support, which was ideal for long walks in Athens.
    Alexis Benveniste, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • An adoption of a fictitious docudrama style, where scenarios are created for the show’s cast, brought in more subpar episodes which many feel didn’t help the cause.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
  • Unsurprisingly, then, scammers are also keen to exploit this by way of fictitious job opportunities through unofficial channels, websites, emails, and text messages.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Aloe vera is low-maintenance, making the houseplant an excellent option for beginner houseplant owners, who don’t have much time for excessive plant care.
    Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2025
  • One of the best examples is her novel Made for Love, perhaps better known as an HBO show starring the excellent Cristin Milioti.
    The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Grammy-winning Prince of Darkness and legendary rocker died just weeks after reuniting with Black Sabbath for a final show in England.
    Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 24 July 2025
  • In memoriam: The Grammy-winning Prince of Darkness and legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne has died just weeks after reuniting with Black Sabbath for a final show in England.
    John Carlisle, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • Is all this merely a sci-fi imaginary consideration?
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • Any other Countdown viewers dig their fingernails into an imaginary steering wheel when this second SUV followed his buddy into this left turn with zero regard for the oncoming white sedan?!
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 18 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fabulous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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