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 rise of Black power influenced Chicano activism, and many Mexican Americans increasingly shed illusions that they could be seen as white, at least legally so, and rejected assimilationist impulses.
    — Eladio Bobadilla, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Neither of them, however, had any illusions about his prospects.
    — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 13 July 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
  • The visions of Dreamers can be fraught with symbolism and almost impossible to understand.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • LARPing, or live-action role-playing, might conjure up visions of Dungeons & Dragons costumes and renaissance fairs.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of visions
Noun
  • The three will open Terruño Ancestral Spirits in the LoDo space later this month, showcasing spirits from their native Mexico along with traditional dishes beyond the Tex-Mex style that has become commonplace in the states.
    — Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike many other spirits, gin allows each botanical to play a defining role in the final profile.
    — Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of spirits
Noun
  • Many players are balancing school and side gigs like bartending and firefighting while chasing their athletic dreams.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
  • May this doll remind every child and every collector that dreams have no limits, excellence leaves a lasting imprint, and true greatness never goes out of style.
    — Alexis Mikulski Ruiz, VIBE.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of dreams
Noun
  • From giant ghosts and pumpkins to creepy characters and playful designs, larger-than-life inflatables are a fun way to take your outdoor Halloween decorations to the next level.
    — Casey DelBasso, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Forced to confront the ghosts of their past, the partners must navigate a chilling winter landscape and an even darker human monstrosity.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of ghosts
Noun
  • The return to a golden age of normalcy was one of the most powerful pandemic-era fantasies.
    — Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Your routine could feel unbearably repetitive, sparking fantasies of abandoning the whole thing.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Definition of fantasies
Noun
  • As political turmoil and public discontent grow, Geonyoung, played by Jung Woosung, emerges from the shadows to chase down a revenge plot nearly a decade in the making.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Between color and contrast, rest assured that visuals will be lifelike yet discernible (and you won’t get picked off by a bad agent hiding in the shadows).
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 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 11 Aug. 2026.

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