as in imagining
to form a mental picture of
all those lottery players fantasizing themselves as living in extravagant luxury
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Recent Examples of fantasizing
But what was more interesting to me are those who aren’t fantasizing about being in a fictional world, but who are fantasizing about being a different reader, in a more secure nonfictional world.
—
James Folta, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
The irony here is that many in Washington have been openly fantasizing about how advanced AI systems could revolutionize military strategy and reshape geopolitics—to such an extent that this speculation has fueled a kind of arms race with China.
—Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
In the face of that reality—the death, functionally, of the American dream—millennials, Gen Zers and Gen Alphaers have started fantasizing about the abolition of money, of technology, of progress entirely, to the point of dreaming about regressing away from humanity itself.
—Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2025
Civility ⬇ Virginia's Jay Jones sent texts fantasizing about shooting a Republican opponent, then won his race for attorney general.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Graham Johnson, a computational biologist and scientific illustrator at the Allen Institute for Cell Science, recalls fantasizing at a lunch table, more than 15 years ago, about a computer model of a cell so detailed, so complete, that scientists could watch such processes happening.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Luis hangs a poster of his favorite movie star, Ingrid, and spends his time fantasizing about Ingrid as Aurora.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
The Brewers arrived in Chicago holding a two-game lead and fantasizing about resting their staff after a sweep.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
For something completely different, some investors have been picking up value stocks rather than fantasizing about the possibilities of Silicon Valley’s dream world.
—John Navin, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
James Folta, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
The irony here is that many in Washington have been openly fantasizing about how advanced AI systems could revolutionize military strategy and reshape geopolitics—to such an extent that this speculation has fueled a kind of arms race with China.
—Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
In the face of that reality—the death, functionally, of the American dream—millennials, Gen Zers and Gen Alphaers have started fantasizing about the abolition of money, of technology, of progress entirely, to the point of dreaming about regressing away from humanity itself.
—Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2025
Civility ⬇ Virginia's Jay Jones sent texts fantasizing about shooting a Republican opponent, then won his race for attorney general.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Graham Johnson, a computational biologist and scientific illustrator at the Allen Institute for Cell Science, recalls fantasizing at a lunch table, more than 15 years ago, about a computer model of a cell so detailed, so complete, that scientists could watch such processes happening.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Luis hangs a poster of his favorite movie star, Ingrid, and spends his time fantasizing about Ingrid as Aurora.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
The Brewers arrived in Chicago holding a two-game lead and fantasizing about resting their staff after a sweep.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
For something completely different, some investors have been picking up value stocks rather than fantasizing about the possibilities of Silicon Valley’s dream world.
—John Navin, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantasizing
Verb
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This situation isn’t what TV shows like The Jetsons or Star Trek depicted when imagining our future.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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So too is the era of imagining what AI can do.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Atwood is grateful for her certification and is now envisioning brighter and better days.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The ribbed sweater and matching wide-leg pants is the perfect cozy-cute holiday outfit—and the video left me envisioning myself wearing the style for hosting and relaxing this season.—
Cheryl Wagemann,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Keep on dreaming as a recent report suggests Apple has plans to make an AirTag-like gadget that acts as an AI pin badge, a future interface for Apple Intelligence.—
Andrew Williams,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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This is all purely speculation, just dreaming big for the duo.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As a non-white viewer, seeing those who have been deemed conventionally attractive or ideal is always interesting to unpack, but it’s never addressed here.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2026
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Specifically, the efforts will widen the sidewalks to at least four-and-a-half feet — with some areas seeing 8-foot sidewalks — and narrow the roads to 29 feet to help slow traffic down, Ley said.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As Anna and William’s wedding approaches, the family is already picturing the dance that started it all.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
24 Nov. 2025
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When picturing their perfect voyage, nearly half (40 percent) of respondents picked the Mediterranean as their top destination.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
18 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fantasizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fantasizing. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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