variants also fantastical
1
2
3
4
5

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 residences, which run up to four bedrooms spread over 3,700 square feet with outdoor balconies, a full gourmet kitchen, living and dining room plus private laundry room, make fantastic multi-generational accommodations. Kathryn Romeyn, AFAR Media, 16 May 2025 Early boots like Brad and J.D. made for fantastic TV, and look at the exits from the (fake) merge to the finale: Sydney, Tiffany, Naseer, Evvie, Shan, Liana, Danny. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 May 2025 As for those overheads, a dimmer switch is a fantastic option to tame harsh ceiling lights. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2025 There are widescreen vistas aplenty and fantastic use of shadows throughout the movie. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fantastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantastic
Adjective
  • Sinner won a bizarre semifinal in his first tournament back from a three-month doping ban, while Alcaraz triumphed in a sloppy duel.
    Sam Settleman, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Known for its deluge of gruesome deaths that just get more bizarre with each iteration, Final Destination is now returning for a sixth movie.
    Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Ready to swap the real-world drama for a fictional web of secrets and lies?
    Andrea Bartz, People.com, 18 May 2025
  • The kind now best distilled into a fictional massacre in a galaxy far, far away.
    Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • With their incredible skill to adapt to most climates and locations, foxes are widespread across all continents except Antarctica, and there are more than 30 species globally.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
  • Chris Taylor makes an incredible catch to preserve a 2018 NLCS Game 7 lead over Milwaukee.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • And now more people can experience this wonderful adventure on Netflix starting May 15, 2025.
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Colombia’s coastal cities are famous for their cuisine, but don’t overlook their wonderful street foods.
    Cat Sposato, AFAR Media, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • The exposed brick walls are freshly painted ecru, and new oversize picture windows splash sunlight onto the furniture, like a 1950s coffee table with fanciful Jacques Blin tiles on top and some inevitable scuffs on its wood legs ($8,200).
    Craig Kellogg Ashok Sinha, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • The splendid design was a bit of a departure from the many fanciful gowns that are typically taken for a spin in Cannes during this time of year.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Aromas are reminiscent of beautiful Sicilian fields of wildflowers and olive trees with blackberry compote, fresh black currants with sweet tobacco, and a marvelous finishing note of smoldering earth that goes on and on along the sculpted tannins.
    Cathrine Todd, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • Either way, Harnett’s elation is marvelous to behold — and highly contagious.
    Joe Leydon, Variety, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Draw an imaginary line from the magnitude 2.3 star Merak, which forms the outer base of the 'bowl', through Dubhe, the star positioned as the 'pouring tip' of the asterism.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 May 2025
  • The mastermind behind covert action, Frank Wisner, never paused to consider that his cure for defeating an imaginary worldwide communist conspiracy was worse than the disease.
    Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Give your wooden nickel to the mixologist, take your pick between La Babia, an excellent margarita, or Three Emmas, grab a book off the shelf, and take a seat.
    Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2025
  • Amazon The latest MacBook Air (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is an excellent, lightweight laptop.
    Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 24 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fantastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fantastic. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fantastic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!