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 Who doesn’t love an imaginary medieval world? EW.com, 25 Aug. 2025 Chris Kavanagh booked Everton’s Carlos Alcaraz in their 1-0 defeat against Leeds United on Monday evening for brandishing an imaginary yellow card after being fouled. Cerys Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025 Look to the northeast toward an imaginary second base, where the Beatles’ stage was once set up and where the band stood in its classic formation. Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025 Physicists explained microwaves’ imaginary time delay. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imaginary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginary
Adjective
  • As Newton soon learned, there is a long runway between playing a fictitious, Regency-era ladies’ man and becoming one of the most recognizable designers in pop culture.
    José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The film is set in New Mexico, in the fictitious title town—population of two thousand four hundred and thirty-five, according to a road sign—where the election year sees the mayor also up for reëlection.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, and Ciara, along with Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters stars EJAE, REI AMI and Audrey Nuna, who make up the fictional group Huntr/x will serve as presenters throughout the evening.
    Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Binge the autumn episodes or watch the whole thing again for the millionth time to enjoy a fictional fall getaway.
    Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Over at Metropolitan State University, the on-campus gallery is presenting works from five Twin Cities Latino artists working across paintings, puppetry, photography and more focused on bestiarios, or fantastical, mythical beasts.
    Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Renewal Through Setback Erik Marthon Olsen of Laerdal Invest chose the phoenix, the mythical bird that rises from its own ashes.
    Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Imaginary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginary. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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