1
as in graphical
consisting of or relating to pictures
after a desensitizing series of imaginal exposures to the feared object, the phobic person is then exposed to the actual object
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in mythic
not real and existing only in the imagination
the equator is merely an imaginal line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 imaginal
Peter [Merry] likes to use is that, when a caterpillar is becoming a butterfly, new ‘imaginal cells’ emerge.
—
Big Think, 7 Aug. 2025
With one technique, for example—called imaginal exposure—you might be asked to visualize the process of going to the airport, boarding the plane, and experiencing a bad bout of turbulence.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 10 May 2024
Mercury entering into Pisces turns up the imaginal juice.
—USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
Then, from bundles of cells known as imaginal disks, a new body takes form.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023
Big Think, 7 Aug. 2025
With one technique, for example—called imaginal exposure—you might be asked to visualize the process of going to the airport, boarding the plane, and experiencing a bad bout of turbulence.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 10 May 2024
Mercury entering into Pisces turns up the imaginal juice.
—USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
Then, from bundles of cells known as imaginal disks, a new body takes form.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginal
Adjective
-
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Though the shoe is not available on the design house’s website yet, the exaggerated heel and graphic construction reflect the sensibility of Nina Christen, the buzzy footwear designer Anderson tapped to lead shoes at Dior this summer.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Bridge once again hosted a fashion week party in its Milan digs, with the set designed to take guests on an imaginary journey along the Tyrrhenian coast.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Soilonic is trying to make a digital token that isn’t just imaginary money.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
No visual or symbolic vocabulary ever develops.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Artville began three years ago with the goal of amplifying the work of visual artists in Nashville.—
Molly Davis,
Nashville Tennessean,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Young Pokémon trainers Liko, Roy, and Dot continue their journey to find the mythical Laqua and face new challenges along the way.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The note mentions that more details about Dale’s death are tucked inside more paperbacks on his shelves, thereby connecting Lee’s twin obsessions — musty old books and the mythic quest to shine light in Tulsa’s dark corners.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Outside, artist Andy Nguyen introduced cyanotype artwork, a photographic process that creates a blue and white image from a mix of sun exposure and chemicals.—
Lauren Uppal,
Mercury News,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The caller also picked out Flores Barrientos from a photographic lineup, police said.—
Alexandra Hardle,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Garcia-Hernandez allegedly has convictions for giving fictitious information, evading arrest, driving while intoxicated and fleeing police.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Supervisors Janet Nguyen and Don Wagner raised concerns at the board’s Tuesday meeting about fictitious registrations following recent news of a dog that was registered to vote in two recent state elections and a lawsuit by the federal government over noncitizen voter records.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Yeager was one of Hef’s go-to photographers, shooting eight centerfolds along with pictorial spreads.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Check out the department’s pictorial HERE (and don’t miss the pirate).—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Viewers will also have to use their imagination to visualize the central fictional city of Baktan Cross, which is a combination of Eureka and El Paso.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Oral beauty brand Moon is gearing up for the holiday season ahead with a fan-favorite fictional character.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imaginal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginal. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share