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 Bruna is fantastic, and Alison is a wonderful producer with a great eye. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026 Walker is having a fantastic season after signing with the Chiefs as a free agent after helping the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 The writer-producer set his Beauty and the Beast in a fantastical subway world beneath New York City, with Hamilton portraying an assistant district attorney and Perlman the mythic, noble man-beast. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026 This island that was so fantastic has become Work Island and that’s sad. — Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fantastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantastic
Adjective
  • But at the center of this story is a man named Michael Organ who turns out to be a bizarre, seemingly dangerous conman.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Aside from spreading fear and anxiety through the agricultural labor force — which might be the point, if the hope is many will self-deport — the surge is having some other bizarre and probably unintended consequences.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • People love spy stories, but there is nothing amusing, or romantic, about this one.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The romantic Turing Test When Franky Vergara’s cousin asked him how to respond to a flirtatious Hinge message, Vergara, a 23-year-old living in San Diego, didn’t know how to help.
    — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The novel was also partly epistolary, including segments of fictional court transcripts and news coverage created by King (who enjoyed mimicking different writing styles).
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The film—based on the 2014 play Switzerland by Joanna Murray-Smith—sets a fictional scene in the final chapter of Highsmith’s life.
    — Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The quick thinking to observe, to then park and follow someone into the school is incredible and undoubtedly saved people.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • There's an incredible amount to explore between northern lights hunting sessions.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Bruna is fantastic, and Alison is a wonderful producer with a great eye.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
  • It is carefully crafted and wincingly sincere, a wonderful conversion of inversions.
    — Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • As insufferable and absurd as that was, Murphy continued in the middle of the 2026 season, acting like his team's biggest division rival had also not heard of his players who were currently in first place.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • But its ludicrous potential price tag isn’t the only absurd thing.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • For Kreischer, the ideal burger doesn't require exotic ingredients or elaborate toppings.
    — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The rewards can be exotic (like the horns of a massive argali ram) or they can be rooted in personal history (like a single perfect archery shot after a decades-long bowhunting career).
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The wealth tax opponents have applied the age-old technique of mustering superficially plausible, but largely imaginary, consequences of passage.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The genre gave him considerably more freedom to invent architectural settings, mixing classical ruins, waterways, and figures into elaborate imaginary landscapes.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fantastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fantastic. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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