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

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 imaginary There’s an atemporal quality to the film’s stylized alternate reality, which blends an old-world charm with signs of a technocratic dystopia, all contained to a few blocks in an imaginary town. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025 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 The framing may be sound, but the portraits are imaginary. Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025 She is caught up in a delusion, convinced that her imaginary accomplice Libardo is accusing her of betrayal. Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imaginary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginary
Adjective
  • Nicolas Cage was rumored to be interested in playing Charlie and his fictitious twin, Donald.
    Susan Orlean, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2025
  • However fictitious, these uplifting moments are currently missing from our real-life news cycle.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Blending fictional stories with real historical figures and events, the show captures the promise and pain of the American dream, exploring themes of race, class and identity that continue to resonate decades later.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
  • That’s on top of the other revenue streams, such as sponsorship deals for the fictional APXGP team.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Last year, moments included a violinist perched 15 feet in the air with a cascading 20-foot dress, a crew of mythic horsehead creatures, the Raven, the Jester, Cersei, and Arachnea.
    Jenny Adams, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
  • His return to offense was almost mythic.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imaginary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginary. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on imaginary

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!