Synonyms of imaginary

imaginary

adjective

i-ˈma-jə-ˌner-ē 

as in fictitious

not real and existing only in the imagination

told by the psychologist that it was perfectly normal for their child to have an imaginary friend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fictitious
• fictional
• mythical
• imagined
• fantasied
• imaginal
• phantom
• make-believe
• ideal
• unreal
• invented
• fanciful
• chimerical
• phantasmal
• notional
• theoretical
• phantasmic
• pretend
• made-up
• hypothetical
• fantastic
• legendary
• visionary
• fabulous
• romantic
• unlikely
• fabled
• abstract
• fictive
• illusory
• unbelievable
• hallucinatory
• unconvincing
• delusive
• envisioned
• deceptive
• phantasmagoric
• nonexistent
• visualized
• delusional
• conceived
• pictured
• envisaged
• concocted
• feigned
• fabricated
• daydreamlike
• inexistent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• real
• actual
• existing
• true
• existent
• genuine
• authentic
• factual
• physical
• realistic
• verifiable
• convincing
• substantial
• believable
• solid
• corporeal
• tangible
• material
• palpable
• verified

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective imaginary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of imaginary are chimerical, fanciful, fantastic, quixotic, and visionary. While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination.

an imaginary desert isle

How does the word chimerical relate to other synonyms for imaginary?

Chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic.

chimerical dreams of future progress

In what contexts can fanciful take the place of imaginary?

In some situations, the words fanciful and imaginary are roughly equivalent. However, fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination.

a teller of fanciful stories

When is it sensible to use fantastic instead of imaginary?

The words fantastic and imaginary can be used in similar contexts, but fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief.

a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

When could quixotic be used to replace imaginary?

Although the words quixotic and imaginary have much in common, quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense.

a quixotic crusade

When is visionary a more appropriate choice than imaginary?

While in some cases nearly identical to imaginary, visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization.

visionary schemes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of imaginary

Blowing up an imaginary balloon, using a pinwheel or pretending to blow out birthday candles can make the practice feel less like a chore. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026

Because there are rarely visible scars, many survivors are told their symptoms are psychological or, worse, imaginary. — Daile Zhang, The Conversation, 10 Aug. 2026

Other use cases for Google Earth’s image generation include visualizing future or imaginary projects. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 31 July 2026

The tightening of the library rules reflects the greater restrictions faced by community members who for generations treated the border as little more than an imaginary line. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026