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

Amusingly, on the occasions when I was hit by that imaginary gust of wind, the overall momentum slowed as a result. —New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2025

Studies have found that most children intuitively understand the difference between real and imaginary friends, and the different roles played by each. —Tharin Pillay, Time, 21 Oct. 2025

Of course, specific local conditions vary on either side of that imaginary line. —Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025

While their mother is not in the picture, Judy seeks guidance from her boss, Alyson (Megan Mullally), and her imaginary friend, Alanis Morissette (voicing herself), who appears to her in the Northern Lights. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025