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 For somebody whose previous experience ends at a normal ebike, however, this thing could be a fantastic machine for discovering religion. — Kevin Fanady, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026 Sound designer Natsuko Inoue and production and post-production sound mixer Hisafumi Takeuchi constantly found ways to tie the most fantastical moments back to Earth, because that sonic believability keeps the audience invested in the action. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2026 In his lone start against the Cardinals in Week 2, Lock was fantastic. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026 In Hall’s absence, Braelon Allen has been a fantastic replacement, recording at least 100 scrimmage yards in the last four consecutive games. — Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fantastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantastic
Adjective
  • Personnel limitations may have hurt both sides of the ball, but the Ravens have made some bizarre calls on offense and defense during a four-game losing streak.
    — Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2026
  • In a bizarre turn of events, on Wednesday November 4th, New York City’s Queens Public Library (QPL) system, which operates 66 branches, experienced an attack on its online networks by a hacker.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • In many cases, boards and investors focused on ethical breaches, such as executives using company funds inappropriately or advancing the careers of romantic partners who reported to them.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026
  • My Beloved’s casually romantic chassis—but Kings of Leon are still prone to occasionally rocking out, for better or worse.
    — Larry Fitzmaurice, Pitchfork, 9 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The fictional planet’s volcanic landscape releases gases such as sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, both of which are hazardous at high concentrations.
    — Alix Freckelton, Space.com, 11 Nov. 2026
  • So all of the people in the piece — Vincent, Gus, whoever — those were all just fictional characters.
    — Jack Denton, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Shortly thereafter, the Rockets fumbled the ball away on their next possession, and O’Connell’s incredible night continued.
    — Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The Stones album is also incredible, in a very different way.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Server was wonderful and attentive and the manager came around to check on things.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2026
  • There’s a wonderful connection between this film and the festival.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • And Murdoch uses a light hand, making the characters seem lovingly and relatably absurd throughout.
    — Namara Smith, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2026
  • This camp has insisted all along that Huang’s advocacy was not only self-serving — a thin justification for his pursuit of profits — but, on its face, absurd.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Investigators found in a closet dozens of Louis Vuitton handbags lining the top shelf, many pairs of Christian Louboutin boots and a display case full of handbags made of exotic furs.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • MetLife also covers grief counseling and cremation benefits, trims your deductible for each claim-free year and, in some states, insures exotic pets such as birds, reptiles and rabbits.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The film was a vision of the future refracted through an imaginary past.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The elimination of the imaginary Kong Mountains and knowledge of a shorter travel distance through the dense tropical forest accelerated French colonization of the region.
    — Thomas J Bassett, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fantastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fantastic. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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