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 The jokes are nothing special, but the visuals are fantastic. — Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026 This was especially important on Wildwood, which features a huge range of costumes; in the city sequences everyone is dressed in modern clothing, whereas in the forest characters have more fantastical looks. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 24 Oct. 2026 To many people, freak accidents like these understandably look a little funny, even fantastical. — Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 24 Oct. 2026 The developer of Little Nightmares iterated on its already fantastic platform engine for an even better game. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fantastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantastic
Adjective
  • The appeal of Bleak House, for instance, is bound up in its bad actors and bizarre names, less so the action.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The Seaside Police Department received the tip about Bumper’s bizarre breakfast invoice in August.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • For example, a Milwaukee police officer resigned this year after he was accused of secretly using Flock to learn the location of his romantic partner 124 times and that partner’s ex 55 times, according to court records.
    — Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The Ahmanson’s work pairs sumptuous costumes, storybook scenery and robust singing with broad, disconnected acting that leaves the musical’s romantic transformation emotionally unconvincing.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The latest season, currently being aired, depicts a fictional Chinese intelligence agency capturing and torturing some of the Japanese spies.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
  • To make the investigation personal, Ashton is using the cheerleaders’ photos as suspect pictures, while co-captain Mackenzie has supplied fun facts for their fictional police statements.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Achieving incredible data transmission speed The researcher fabricated the device using a 300-millimeter silicon-on-insulator manufacturing process.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • This year’s incredible class of awardees includes Jason Bolden, Kellon Deryck, Molly Greenwald, Chris Horan, Amy Komorowski, Thuy Nguyen, Law Roach, and Trish Summerville.
    — InStyle, InStyle, 24 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Their sorrowful slow-dance, at first with the air and then with each other, set to the ensemble evoking the crooning of a record player, is just wonderful.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
  • There is a wonderful offhand quality to their scenes together.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • Maybe that’s an absurd quibble, though, for a series that is proudly manufactured from the very beginning.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
  • There's no luck in baseball, because everything must have an explanation, no matter how absurd.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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