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 Well, even though Ted Lasso isn’t coaching the Current, the new season is fantastic for KC, which is featured heavily in the season premiere. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 Thorbjornsen's name has been penciled in, although he's been sneakily fantastic in his short PGA Tour career. Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 All the dishes were fantastic, but the red pepper goat, which can be served in a wrap, over rice or on a plate with crispy potatoes and slaw, was my favorite, and the honey jerk whole wings were another standout. Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Speculator and the surrounding area have some fantastic camping opportunities, too. Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fantastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantastic
Adjective
  • Whatever ends up coming for Alpha, with their TV fragmented into a billion tiny screens, it’s bound to be bizarre.
    Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader's San Francisco Giants season has ended prematurely due to a bizarre scooter accident.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The romantic gesture set off a trend and from around 1790 to 1830, miniature artists began to house these tiny eyes in jewels as precious keepsakes.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Patrick Doyle wrote the MCU’s most romantic orchestral score.
    EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas, and Nick Jonas will all reprise their roles as the fictional Gray brothers in the band Connect 3, with comedian Sherry Cola also joining the cast.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Bud Billiken, the page’s fictional editor/mascot described as the guardian and protector of children, was invented by Abbott and the Defender’s executive editor Lucius Harper.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The navy and green color scheme is incredible and is otherwise completely absent from the visual history of this hockey team.
    The Athletic NHL Staff, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The genus Labisia has some mind-blowing, incredible colors and patterns.
    Dr. Matthew Lisy, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The restaurant has two Michelin stars; there's also a daytime bistro and a wonderful bar worth spending a few hours in.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026
  • And like ginseng was supposed to be like this magical supplement that, like, improved health and memory and all sorts of wonderful things.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The show explores the darkly absurd side of modern-day male friendship.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Just absurd, and all happening in his first full season in the majors.
    Matt Piper, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Outside of cartoon land, however, the notion of boarding an exotic new flying machine—particularly one not yet certified by the Federal Aviation Administration—might not reassure a wary public.
    Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The band’s lo-fi sound and intermittent lush orchestrations felt exotic but somehow warm — the Irish counterpart to another contemporaneous example of the form, Scotland’s Belle and Sebastian.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Other use cases for Google Earth’s image generation include visualizing future or imaginary projects.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 31 July 2026
  • For years, Ryan Coogler, Chadwick Boseman and Marvel Comics have brought to the world Wakanda, an imaginary African nation powerful enough to control its resources, protect its culture and build its future without the rest of the world’s permission.
    Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fantastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fantastic. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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