variants also fantastical
Definition of fantasticnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fantastic different from other adjectives like it?

The words bizarre and grotesque are common synonyms of fantastic. While all three words mean "conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality," fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention.

dreamed up fantastic rumors

When is it sensible to use bizarre instead of fantastic?

The meanings of bizarre and fantastic largely overlap; however, bizarre applies to the sensationally strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination.

a bizarre medieval castle in the heart of a modern city

Where would grotesque be a reasonable alternative to fantastic?

Although the words grotesque and fantastic have much in common, grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones.

grotesque statues on the cathedral
though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile

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 fantastic That could be fantastic for an interview, a doctor’s appointment or a parent-teacher conference, but a little unnerving for everyone else in the room. Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 Now, with Zedd’s production and Candy Crush’s fantastical Candy Country setting, Twain sees the light of another beautiful chapter for the classic. Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2026 In the Decameron, Giovanni Boccaccio described a fantastical land with a mountain of grated parmesan, where people made macaroni and ravioli and cooked them in capon broth. Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2026 The electric Cayenne and Macan are fantastic in their own ways, but America’s on the struggle bus with EV adoption at the moment. Joel Feder, The Drive, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fantastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantastic
Adjective
  • The bizarre explanation brought an end to an episode that generated widespread attention online after Pierre initially accused the courier of stealing the order.
    Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • An exhausting, head-spinning and often downright silly offseason is officially over after college football really kicked off on Thursday (after the always bizarre Week 0 last weekend).
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The couple, who went Instagram official last month, shared a series of snaps from their romantic vacation together.
    Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The romantic silhouette, especially in that shade of purple, was eye-catching, certainly a standout fashion moment on the red carpet that night.
    Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Also figuring prominently in the proceedings is the cleric’s acolyte Alyce (Thomasin McKenzie, Jojo Rabbit), a fictional character representing the many women who took part in the movement.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Amidst this fictional romance boom, real life dating is in a recession.
    Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • In finishing 27 for 30 for 401 yards, Mensah went an incredible 12 for 14 on passes thrown 10 yards or more.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The best form of flattery is imitation, and Robert Pattinson does an incredible impression of Chris Hansen for A24’s new movie, Primetime.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Chief among Kvaratskhelia’s standout moments in a PSG shirt was his wonderful solo goal against Aston Villa in last year’s Champions League quarter-final.
    Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Many wonderful and terrible things have happened in the 25 years since, some related to the 9/11 attacks, many not at all.
    Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Every once in a while, a professional athlete will do something so absurd on the field that people will question if the athlete is from this world.
    Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Brizé weaves between these absurd moments and two slow-simmering crises that cause Carla to begin doubting her diehard commitment to work.
    Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Investigators later learned of an allegation that the girl had been traded for an exotic animal and was living in Texas.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Our study takes only a tiny step – but still a step – in that direction, helping to nail down the mechanism of exotic superconductivity in graphene.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Where teams already afforded every advantage are now given the gift of imaginary time.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The equinox occurs when the sun’s center passes through the imaginary line from the north to the south.
    Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fantastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fantastic. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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