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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 Pacers and Thunder were trading blows on the offensive end once the game began, but Haliburton’s Achilles injury put a damper on what could have been a fantastic end for him after hitting all but one of his four three-point attempts in the first quarter. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025 Astronomers are still figuring out the details of other fantastic stellar events that form larger atoms. Stephen L. Levy, The Conversation, 23 June 2025 And that's the thing that grounds these fantastic worlds into reality for the audience. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 23 June 2025 End of first period: Panthers 3, Edmonton 0 Anton Lundell scored off a fantastic Carter Verhaeghe forecheck and assist with 41.7 seconds left in the first period to give the Panthers a fat 3-0 lead after the first period. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fantastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantastic
Adjective
  • This bizarre tale about being picked up by bounty hunters, taken to an unmarked warehouse without access to food, water or an attorney were clearly fabricated.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • Alicia Hannah-Kim is breaking her silence after a bizarre incident with Cobra Kai costar Martin Kove earlier this month resulted in him being removed from a fan event for biting her.
    Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Again, these are fictional groups from a Netflix movie (albeit, of course, with real singers behind them).
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
  • In April 2025, Pascale Hutton, who plays Rosemary Coulter, shared a post on Instagram posing with her on-screen husband, Kavan Smith, who portrays Leland Coulter, and their fictional daughter, Marigold.
    Francesca Gariano, People.com, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • But whoever picks him is going to get an incredible value.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025
  • Head down Highway 1 from San Francisco to one of the most incredible natural backdrops on the West Coast.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Colleagues, mentors and friends are wonderful sources of feedback.
    Kim Salem-Jackson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Favorite collections: Dior, Willy Chavarria, Craig Green, Lemaire and Officine Générale Best show format: The glorious city of Paris and its surroundings were on wonderful display this show season.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Lace gives a short-sleeve set an utterly romantic feel, while a feather trim offers a fanciful touch to long-sleeve and pants coordinates.
    Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 23 June 2025
  • Of course, if a prominent individual in government with conservative or even reactionary views indicates their displeasure with Trump, that’s a signal to the Democratic Party that the center can hold, that a fanciful abundance of swing voters can be yet persuaded of the error of their ways.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • The kernel of the script imagined Ruth’s movements through her longtime home for the final time—a marvelous, minutely observed sequence that opens the film—and then her new home for the first time.
    Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 20 June 2025
  • Chuck invites a woman from the crowd to join him — Janice Halliday (Annalise Basso), whom the narrator has just informed us has undergone a bad breakup via text message — and their marvelous dance sequence offers a startling contrast to the grim despair of the film’s first (third?) act.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Since its inception, astronomers had busied themselves tracking the apparent movements of the stars, moon and planets relative to an imaginary line running north to south through the observatory, known as a 'meridian'.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 22 June 2025
  • Some will retreat from public life, spurning those closest to them in favor of an imaginary narrative woven with these programs.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • There are many excellent CRM platforms that are available at a much lower price point and that can serve the needs of most small and mid-sized businesses.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • Along the way, there have been some other expressions as well, including single barrel, barrel-proof whiskeys, a series of excellent cask-strength American single malts, and rye whiskeys made with different grain varietals.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fantastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fantastic. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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