FANTASM Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

phantasm

noun

ˈfan-ˌta-zəm

variants also fantasm

Definition of phantasm

as in illusion

a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality frightened by the phantasms of his own making

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in apparition

the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people believed that she'd seen the phantasm of her father on the anniversary of his death

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 phantasm No one had meant more to Miami during the past three years, devoting themselves to painstakingly lifting a program plump with the phantasm of a reign long past. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026 In times of increasing cynicism and apathy in the zeitgeist, this phantasm extravaganza — at once humorously deadpan in its playful tableaus and poignantly sincere at its emotional core — feels like a breath of fresh air. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025 But is the gender phantasm as crucial to the global far right as Butler claims? — Katha Pollitt, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2024 Likewise, Poe’s devilish ambiguity, his production of phantasms both real and imagined, undergirds James’s own ventures into the genre. — Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 11 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for phantasm

Recent Examples of Synonyms for phantasm

Noun

This practice, driven by post-crisis regulations like Basel III, creates an illusion of safety for commercial banks, which show 5-8% more excess capital.

— Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Warm off-white paint creates the illusion of a larger kitchen.

— Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 16 July 2026

Definition of illusion

Noun

That is, until miraculous apparitions turn it into a place to be.

— Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
The music starts to shift beginning with the third episode, when Lestat becomes overwhelmed by the apparition of his abusive maker and other ghosts, including Claudia, whose killing he’d been forced to witness firsthand.

— Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026

Definition of apparition

Noun

Lestat’s standing at the precipice of the sweet hereafter, and this episode is his death dream.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Skyroot will need a lot more funding to realize that dream, but Saturday’s launch showed the company has ingredients required for a successful launch company.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 July 2026

Definition of dream

Noun

The first major Roman poet, Ennius, describes a dream in which Homer’s ghost appeared to him and explained that souls transmigrate after bodily death; this poetic spirit would now take up residence in Ennius.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
When Odysseus meets Sinon’s ghost — enraged by the circumstances of his death outside Troy — at the entrance to the underworld during his voyage home, Sinon warns Odysseus of the dangers his family faces back in Ithaca.

— Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Definition of ghost

Noun

In that span, Egbuka was WR3 (overall and in fantasy points per game) with 25 receptions for 445 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 38 targets.

— Jake Ciely, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Dynasty fantasy football owners should eye three running backs poised for significant value increases in 2026.

— Steve Bradshaw, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of fantasy

Noun

Timothée Chalamet, who has established a penchant for outré themed courtside outfits to cheer on his beloved New York Knicks, transferred his spirit to root for his other team France.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Lestat has hired the witch Merrick Mayfair (Sarah Afful) to commune with Claudia’s spirit so that Louis can properly say good-bye to their dead sister-daughter.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 2026

Definition of spirit

Noun

And amidst the momentum of reverie, there’s the line ‘Blink at the light and hope to survive,’ because daydreams in a fascist state can be scary too.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 June 2026
One-touch passing, feinting and ripping hard shots into a tattered net, each is super-charged by vivid daydreams of glory on the international stage.

— Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026