1
as in dreams
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality
a writer with a prodigious talent for creating fancies that captivate readers young and old
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in whims
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action
is this a serious interest in music, or just your latest fancy that will be forgotten after a week?
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in likings
positive regard for something
now that he's rich he's taken a fancy to expensive sports cars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in imagines
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
2
as in enjoys
to take pleasure in
the teacher didn't fancy the idea of failing the student, even if he was the class clown
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fancies
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2025
At least there were idealists who dreamed such fancies, and their dreams were the pretext for creating this nation.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
But the Browns, with a 40-year-old quarterback, four offensive linemen signed only for this season and a defense that carries and fancies itself as one of the league’s best, know what things are supposed to look like and what the roadmap to success — even temporary success — has to be.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Sentenced to multiple life sentences for multiple murders, the low-level Camorra member fancies himself as someone well above his station.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
Gronk makes his game prediction Boise State may be coming into Saturday’s game as an underdog by over a touchdown, but Gronkowski fancies the Broncos’ chances.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 13 Dec. 2025
Noun
While Maluma never called this swanky condo home, the 31-year-old singer and rapper appreciates plenty of other high-end fancies.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2025
At least there were idealists who dreamed such fancies, and their dreams were the pretext for creating this nation.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
But the Browns, with a 40-year-old quarterback, four offensive linemen signed only for this season and a defense that carries and fancies itself as one of the league’s best, know what things are supposed to look like and what the roadmap to success — even temporary success — has to be.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Jackson fancies himself an American Sadat, performing the most sensitive, high-profile diplomatic missions for the president but without the accountability of appointive office.
—Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
Sentenced to multiple life sentences for multiple murders, the low-level Camorra member fancies himself as someone well above his station.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Feb. 2026
Gronk makes his game prediction Boise State may be coming into Saturday’s game as an underdog by over a touchdown, but Gronkowski fancies the Broncos’ chances.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 13 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancies
Noun
-
Your dreams are an act of resistance to those watching at home.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Your dreams are an act of resistance.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Following your whims is the perfect way to spend today.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
In addition to upholding the separation of powers, the decision is a victory for the rule of law, which requires that major legal rules be clearly established by legislation, not subject to the whims of one person.—
Ilya Somin,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Abercrombie’s surrealist work imagines the Midwest as a site of dream-like wonder, transforming ordinary objects into symbolic reflections on solitude and discovery.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Martin imagines an at-home lounge with a speakeasy vibe.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mrigakshi is a science journalist who enjoys writing about space exploration, biology, and technological innovations.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Sara also enjoys photographing sports.—
Sara Diggins,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Here are details on four tours to fulfill your interior (and green thumb) design fantasies.—
Kari Barnett,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
-
These slurs referenced a convenient other on which white, straight men could project their fantasies of deviance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As Jackie herself once reminded John, a Kennedy has no choice but to accept that the press and public will speculate, interpret, exaggerate, and invent notions about them based on their own suppositions.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The idea is that a guy goes back in time and his preconceived notions of history are completely different, and his modern ignorance gets the best of him.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The likes of Roberto De Zerbi and Xavi are out of work, and the USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino will be out of contract by the summer, so compensation to clubs or countries would also not be due.—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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The Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra represent the Chinese technology giant's top tier devices aimed at challenging the likes of Samsung and Apple in the high-end segment of the market.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to General Atomics, a notional mission profile envisions MQ-9B aircraft launching from friendly bases in the Western or Southern Pacific, transiting to designated hold points outside an adversary’s weapons engagement zone, and loitering there for extended periods.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Feb. 2026
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Bob Lutticken, an agriculture and biology teacher at Abraxas, envisions transforming the orchard by pulling out weeds and replacing gravel with permanent walkways, then adding at least 15 fruit trees, trellises and a greenhouse.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fancies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancies. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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