1
as in excessive
going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount
decided they would rather go without dinner than pay the hotel restaurant's fancy prices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in detailed
made or done with great care or with much detail
we're having a little get-together after the concert—nothing fancy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in dream
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in whim
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 liking
positive regard for something
now that he's rich he's taken a fancy to expensive sports cars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in imagination
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others
to fans of Lewis Carroll, the animal creations of his fertile fancy are as real as any creature to be found at the zoo
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to imagine
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 to enjoy
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 fancy
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 15 June 2026
Widow’s Bay concerns a fictional island town in New England whose mayor, Tom (Matthew Rhys), is sweating to get the same tourism dollars those fancier, think-they’re-so-great places like Martha’s Vineyard get.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 June 2026
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
Dad, an upstate New York doctor who found the idea of fashion publishing fancy beyond his comprehension, was blown away by her humility.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 June 2026
Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
The Wolves fancy themselves to be in the same tier.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fancy
Adjective
If this fancy phone has been on your list, now's the time to get it at 40% off.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 15 June 2026
Widow’s Bay concerns a fictional island town in New England whose mayor, Tom (Matthew Rhys), is sweating to get the same tourism dollars those fancier, think-they’re-so-great places like Martha’s Vineyard get.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 June 2026
Noun
Peruse the shelves for a flavor (or two) that fits your fancy.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
Dad, an upstate New York doctor who found the idea of fashion publishing fancy beyond his comprehension, was blown away by her humility.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 June 2026
Verb
The problem with Dolan, this person confided, was that the owner fancied himself knowledgeable about basketball.
—Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
The Wolves fancy themselves to be in the same tier.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancy
Adjective
-
Too much iron can be dangerous, and excessive vitamin D may lead to high calcium levels and other complications.—
Sara Hoffman,
Verywell Health,
18 June 2026
-
Study author Alexandros Vgontzas, MD, director of the Sleep Research and Treatment Center at Penn State College of Medicine, told Health the results suggest that excessive daytime sleepiness and prolonged sleep latency may be important risk factors for hypertension.—
Zoe Cunniffe,
Health,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
The company says detailed specifications and manufacturer pricing will be revealed closer to launch.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Four ultra-wide-angle cameras equipped with high-dynamic-range lenses continuously monitor its surroundings, while front and rear LiDAR sensors generate detailed three-dimensional maps.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
These memories of his brief, sad human life are uneasy dreams that Lestat wakes from on his tour bus as the sun sets over the road to Toledo.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
-
One concerns a romantic dream come true that becomes a bit of a nightmare.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Imagine a sprawling family with nine kids, all mourning the death of the most recent addition; the brood, which recently relocated from the big city to the country on a whim, is also feeling trapped in the new house.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
-
For 30 years now, Of Montreal has functioned less as a band and more as a vehicle for exploring Kevin Barnes’ emotional whims.—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
They’re affiliated with Mural Arts Philadelphia, the organization that partners with the Eagles to stage this annual event, and one of the men next to Sirianni apparently places his arm around Sirianni’s torso a bit too low for the coach’s liking.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
The 2026 car is much more to Hamilton’s liking.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
A little bit of imagination, a semi-dark sky, and comfortable lawn chairs really get the job done!—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
14 June 2026
-
The Generic 2-Story Prefab Restaurant is listed as a shipping container restaurant, but since the structure is fully customizable to your exact specifications, the only limits to its uses are your own imagination.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
My friend Cody Two Bears did not need to imagine.—
Cody Two Bears,
Rolling Stone,
17 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
-
Attendees enjoyed classic dishes like pancit and lumpia alongside musical performances and traditional folk dances by legacy Filipino American cultural organizations from across the South Bay.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
-
Witt enjoyed his time meeting the Sooners.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancy. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
