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phantasms

noun

variants also fantasms
plural of phantasm
1
as in illusions
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
2
as in apparitions
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for phantasms
  1. illusions
  2. apparitions
  3. visions
  4. spirits
  5. dreams
  6. ghosts
  7. fantasies
  8. shadows
Noun
  • The Hering and Wundt illusions are examples of how straight lines can appear curved if intersecting lines cross them at a certain angle.
    — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026
  • In each case, however, modern physics has shown these assumptions to be illusions.
    — Adam Frank, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of illusions
Noun
  • That is, until miraculous apparitions turn it into a place to be.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Today, the massive complex attracts paranormal investigators who report apparitions, voices, and other unexplained phenomena.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
Definition of apparitions
Noun
  • Intentionality, agency to choose and visions of alternative futures could go a long way toward goal achievement.
    — Keith Tidman, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Lourdes became a major pilgrimage destination after the Catholic Church officially recognized Bernadette's visions as Apparitions in 1862.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of visions
Noun
  • Upstairs, on the top floor, the bar serves vintage hard-to-get champagne and spirits by the glass.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The 13 months since have become a collective effort to lift the spirits of Brotheron, who has also played alongside artists like Patty Griffin, Caroline Herring, Rodney Hayden, and Andy Hedges.
    — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of spirits
Noun
  • After eight years of fighting for their dreams, the series finale of All American gives the space for these characters to finally, fully realize them.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Have your sights set on the autumn-appropriate shoulder bag (or leather tote bag) of your dreams?
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of dreams
Noun
  • Tara Badstubner explores why recent ghosts are (actually) haunting us.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The video has so many of Taylor’s favorite tropes—weddings that turn into a mess, metaphorically breaking glass, red wine spilling, mad women, chatty ghosts, symbolic houses.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of ghosts
Noun
  • The Nashville group Total Wife go off the deep end with mutant hyperpop fantasies on their delightful Come Back Down, while Phoenix’s Glixen get romantic on Quiet Pleasures.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
  • This is part of how Hollywood helped make the gerbil legend, shaping stars to deliver fantasies but telling lies along the way.
    — Allen Salkin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of fantasies
Noun
  • The shadows of the trees swaying in the breeze flickered across it.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Low light can also obscure visual information rather than simply make an image darker, and nighttime conditions vary with cameras, shadows, glare and other sources of noise.
    — Bo Wang, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of shadows
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.

Browse Nearby Words

phantasmic
phantasms
phantom
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Cite this Entry

“Phantasms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phantasms. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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