1
as in imagined
to form a mental picture of
try to fancy, if you can, our mother on an elephant when she was touring India
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in enjoyed
to take pleasure in
the teacher didn't fancy the idea of failing the student, even if he was the class clown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 fancied
They were strongly fancied to build on that in Qatar in 2022, only to crash out in the group stages, scoring one goal en route and finishing third in their group behind Morocco and Croatia.
—
Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 June 2026
The problem with Dolan, this person confided, was that the owner fancied himself knowledgeable about basketball.
—Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
The place first opened 93 years ago when Jack Fry, a guy who fancied boxing, gambling and horse racing, opened a tavern with his wife, Flossie.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Brian would ask him as a homosexual thing—a good-looking boy who Brian fancied.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026
In the years following, Francesca and John's cousin Michael Stirling, who always fancied her, grow closer, and eventually their relationship progresses from friendship to courtship.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
Defending European champion Spain is fancied to do well, as is defeated European finalist England.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
Some have fancied themselves an island chanteuse (Wanda Shirk on Palau).
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
Wales' women went into the World Cup with a higher ranking than Scotland but have now dropped to 10th and are underdogs against Canada, needing victory to save their tournament as Scotland are fancied to beat outsiders Fiji in Saturday's second game at the Salford Community Stadium.
—Mark Gleeson, Reuters, 29 Aug. 2025
Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 June 2026
The problem with Dolan, this person confided, was that the owner fancied himself knowledgeable about basketball.
—Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
The place first opened 93 years ago when Jack Fry, a guy who fancied boxing, gambling and horse racing, opened a tavern with his wife, Flossie.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Brian would ask him as a homosexual thing—a good-looking boy who Brian fancied.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026
In the years following, Francesca and John's cousin Michael Stirling, who always fancied her, grow closer, and eventually their relationship progresses from friendship to courtship.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
Defending European champion Spain is fancied to do well, as is defeated European finalist England.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
Some have fancied themselves an island chanteuse (Wanda Shirk on Palau).
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
Wales' women went into the World Cup with a higher ranking than Scotland but have now dropped to 10th and are underdogs against Canada, needing victory to save their tournament as Scotland are fancied to beat outsiders Fiji in Saturday's second game at the Salford Community Stadium.
—Mark Gleeson, Reuters, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancied
Verb
-
Ford imagined a future in which cars would be powered by small nuclear reactors, theoretically allowing drivers to travel thousands of miles before replacing the power module.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
When her father’s time appeared to be at hand a few days ago, Felicia Parazaider imagined him being reunited with Terry Kath in the afterlife soon.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Colorado Avalanche executive Joe Sakic followed a similar path, while others who enjoyed long on-ice careers and went on to win Cups as coaches like Quenneville and Randy Carlyle didn’t have nearly as strong of HHOF cases as players as Brind’Amour does.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
This is exactly what to expect here—a complete connection with Iceland’s toughest terrain, best enjoyed during the warmer months between May and September.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Moving a blade back and forth to try to saw biscuits apart will make their layers stick (and ruin the rise).—
Ella Quittner,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Ruggeri says that, in comparison to saw palmetto, which gets far more attention.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While her daughter and her friends were playing, Kerry noticed a snake in her garden and, knowing her brother liked animals and lived nearby, sought out his help.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
Dane Cordes was an adrenaline junky and, according to those who knew him, was someone who liked fast cars, fast bikes, water sports and skydiving.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
This is what the founding fathers envisioned all those years ago.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
-
Now serving as 10 Petal's strategist, Beth accompanies Beulah to Dallas to secure a licensing deal with Frontier Hospitality Group — an opportunity Beth had originally envisioned for Dutton Ranch before foot-and-mouth disease wiped out their herd.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
That’s because their comfort is universally loved.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2026
-
Bobby Bobby Charlton is still loved across the pond for leading England to 1966 World Cup glory.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
John Maynard Keynes dreamed of an end to work, and some of the most radical and visionary progressive utopias today involve envisioning an abundant society beyond the need for labor.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
-
The Argentine support delivered the sights and sounds that organizers could only have dreamed of when the defending World Cup champions were drawn to play in Kansas City.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Destined only to be savoured as a dream, while the world still burns around you.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 June 2026
-
Thibs savored every second of his time working for Jeff Van Gundy in Madison Square Garden in the 1990s.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fancied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancied. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
