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
  • Designed by Australian magician and magic consultant Adam Mada, the illusions use a fade box where contestants can be seen disappearing and reappearing on the studio monitors in real time.
    — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shattered Europe’s remaining illusions not just about Moscow but also about Beijing.
    — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 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
  • Meanwhile, at a college job fair, Angie and Ormewood encounter a grad student claiming to have psychic visions.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Ewa Mroczkowska’s production design also turns dewy embankments, decadent interiors, and sunrises over cemeteries into visions of storybook-like decay.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of visions
Noun
  • The spirits industry was pushing trade officials to get back to negotiating.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Groceries Tariffs on Canadian beer, wine, spirits, dairy ingredients and more could cause some price increases during your weekly shopping.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of spirits
Noun
  • Drawings, like dreams, can often feel open-ended, prompting a multiplicity of thoughts.
    — Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • This book inspires football players who are no longer active on the field to embrace life with a positive perception, maintaining their passion to continue pursuing their dreams and building a healthy personal and professional life.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of dreams
Noun
  • Victorian ghosts, lingering by the stairs, have a way of drawing visitors.
    — Anna Russell, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Set in the present day, ghosts from the past of Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) finally catch up to him, shattering his peaceful retirement in Alaska.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of ghosts
Noun
  • At one point, the women even share fantasies about killing their boss.
    — Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Ancient buildings are not fantasies beyond reach, but the living evidence of history’s continuing line.
    — Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of fantasies
Noun
  • Behind a thick column, lurking in the shadows, a kind looking man with an Irish brogue quietly summoned me.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The consequence is that, even if these models successfully preserve literary materials that might otherwise be lost to time or foundering interest, the source will always remain in the shadows.
    — Francesca Mancino, New Yorker, 8 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 11 Sep. 2026.

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