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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
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My father imagined a future for his family in a country where the rule of law mattered and people had THE freedom to speak their truth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The aesthetic was likely imagined and brought to life by Oakley-Green herself, as her stylist Karen Clarkson has yet to credit the hair artist on her glam team.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Palmerston enjoyed a friendly rivalry with Britain’s most famous cat, 10 Downing Street’s Larry, who just celebrated 15 years in his post.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Argentines join celebrations in Buenos Aires Thousands of Argentines gathered in Buenos Aires’ Chinatown to celebrate the Lunar New Year and enjoyed dragon and lion dances on the main stage, alongside martial arts demonstrations.—
Ken Moritsugu,
Los Angeles Times,
17 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
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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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Miller liked Codie’s stats, but the coach also emphasized that those nine points and six rebounds didn’t accurately reflect how effective Codie played against an imposing frontline for Missouri.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Feb. 2026
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The Duke of York liked bold ideas.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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It’s been envisioned for nearly two decades.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
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Before Instagram and Etsy became hubs for showcasing the works of independent artists around the world, many artists relied on local art fairs, but those events didn’t quite have the reach Ryan Stanier envisioned.—
Charlie Vargas,
Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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This humble vegetable is loved by kids and adults alike and is easy to prepare.—
Riley Wofford,
Martha Stewart,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But Silicon Valley has long dreamed of building AI models that can improve themselves, each new generation of AI models able to spawn its successor.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
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Silverblatt once dreamed of being on the other side of the microphone, as a writer in his own right, Howard said.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But his catcher, non-roster invitee Logan Porter, wanted to make sure Seymour savored the achievement.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 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 25 Feb. 2026.
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