1
as in bizarre
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality
she harbors the fanciful notion that she has a talent for singing
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2
as in mythic
not real and existing only in the imagination
the fanciful creatures that J.R.R. Tolkien created for his Middle Earth novels
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Recent Examples of fanciful
From the front, the striking white stucco exterior walls, pitched roof lines, fanciful turret and dramatic circular driveway — not to mention tulip trees — are just a preamble to the contemporary elegance found inside.
—
David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2025
This is one of the more obvious, less fanciful duets on Love for Sale, Gaga’s second album with Tony Bennett.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Medina’s fanciful dog costumes mostly combine monochrome onesies with patches and other accessories for a cheery array of colors, while MC Dog’s costume nods to traditional Latin American patterns and Hattie’s hot pink look is accented with ruffles and glitter.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
What is meant to be fanciful can feel tedious at times.
—Elizabeth Toohey, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fanciful
David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2025
This is one of the more obvious, less fanciful duets on Love for Sale, Gaga’s second album with Tony Bennett.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Medina’s fanciful dog costumes mostly combine monochrome onesies with patches and other accessories for a cheery array of colors, while MC Dog’s costume nods to traditional Latin American patterns and Hattie’s hot pink look is accented with ruffles and glitter.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
What is meant to be fanciful can feel tedious at times.
—Elizabeth Toohey, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fanciful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fanciful
Adjective
-
This is just one in a series of bizarre events that unfolded on the afternoon of April 19, according to the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The gay man who was involved in Rep. Nancy Mace’s viral meltdown at an Ulta Beauty store is speaking out about the bizarre incident.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Quarterly reports delayed by years would be absurd.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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While that isn't anywhere close to of being traded 10 times, being traded in four straight seasons is quite absurd.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Amid the audience laughter at a lecture, U.S. Navy oceanographer Robert Ballard bit his tongue and told the questioner the jewelry was fictitious.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Searches were carried out in France and Belgium last month to determine if his Belgian tax domicile was fictitious.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The idea of the Nuggets claiming three more games in this series with Michael Porter Jr. scoring three points — on Denver’s first basket, no less — is foolish.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2025
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The first three days of the season took care of such foolish rookie thoughts and proved to be a humbling, but learning, experience.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Emmy Award-winner plays the Black woman stand-in for a white male protagonist in an imaginary story to repurpose the popularity of a once successful Keyworth Pictures’ franchise.—
Malik Peay,
Essence,
17 Apr. 2025
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Perception Of Threat: In situations of aggression, whether real or imaginary, a natural response is to fight back.—
Naira Velumyan,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The series titles alludes to mythical and powerful ancient artifacts from the game universe.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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The First Shadow is a stand-alone prequel to the series, and its creators say the play is, in fact, canon to its mythical universe, and could be referenced in the upcoming Season Five of the series.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
On one level all of this felt so unreal, things that had happened in another era and to another person, things, really, that had not happened.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
2 Apr. 2025
-
His day was capped off with an unreal approach shot from 200 yards out on 18.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The star and executive producer briefly revived the series in the fictional town of Lanford, Illinois, two decades later in March 2018.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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Kanopy won’t be competing with A24 for Sundance titles anytime soon, but Tyrell hopes to pursue not just documentaries but fictional book adaptations that can tap into a crossover audience of film lovers and avid readers.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fanciful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fanciful. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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