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
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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
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Recent Examples of fancied
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
The 27-year-old would undoubtedly have fancied his chances of getting back on track against a beleaguered Fiorentina side, but looks set to play no part after withdrawing through injury just half an hour into the USMNT’s friendly against Australia on Tuesday.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 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
Trump's first term was plagued by internal sabotage from bureaucrats and agency officers who fancied themselves a coequal branch of government.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
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
The 27-year-old would undoubtedly have fancied his chances of getting back on track against a beleaguered Fiorentina side, but looks set to play no part after withdrawing through injury just half an hour into the USMNT’s friendly against Australia on Tuesday.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 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
Trump's first term was plagued by internal sabotage from bureaucrats and agency officers who fancied themselves a coequal branch of government.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancied
Verb
-
Americans today enjoy longer lives, greater comfort, more opportunities and broader freedoms than their grandparents could have imagined.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, new weapons had been developed, weapons more terrible than previous generations could have imagined.—
Amy Crawford,
Popular Science,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
To that point, much of Tucker’s case against MSU could turn on how much discretion the school enjoyed in its decision-making.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
3 Feb. 2026
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Some of the sensory tools in our bins that my daughter especially enjoyed are poppers, slug fidgets, pushpeel sensory boards, and an expanding breathing ball.—
Sara Rowe Mount,
Parents,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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During the trial, jurors learned about grim Google searches Brian had made after his wife died, including how to saw a body and how to clean blood off of wood floors.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
18 Dec. 2025
-
Fanatics shared the moment Tennessee Titans first overall pick, quarterback Cam Ward, saw Brady pop up on the screen to give him some wise words.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In a photo posted to Instagram and liked by Visit Fort Worth, the city’s tourism bureau, the man in question appears to be wearing makeup to darken his complexion.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Feb. 2026
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But Hynes liked the way the Wild handled the adversity and pushed back, with Faber scoring the tying goal seven minutes into the third.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For the moment, that infrastructure remains incomplete; as of late 2024, Iranian officials acknowledged that the NIN – envisioned to include homegrown alternatives to Western websites, social media platforms and media streaming services – was still less than 60 percent operational.—
Ilan Berman,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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The final scene brought to series full-circle with an ending Miller had always envisioned, where June ends the series speaking the words that opened the show.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Everyone loved her and everyone learned from her.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Even though the audience hated it, Susan and I loved it.—
Jeremy Helligar,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Nguyen remembers when her parents, immigrants from Laos who dreamed of owning a restaurant, first opened Vientiane Noodle Shop on South 35th Street and West National Avenue in the Silver City neighborhood in 2001.—
Alyssa N. Salcedo,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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In middle school at Imagine International Academy, Swavay was quiet and dreamed of playing basketball.—
DeAsia Paige,
AJC.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Madrid lost four times to Barca last term, so the 2-1 home victory was richly savoured.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2026
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Barbados is a culinary destination to be savored, with cuisine ranging from the ubiquitous fish cutter sandwich to innovative and eco-driven tasting menus.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fancied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancied. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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