PHANTASM Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

phantasm

noun

ˈfan-ˌta-zəm

variants also fantasm

Definition of phantasm

as in illusion

a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality frightened by the phantasms of his own making

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in apparition

the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people believed that she'd seen the phantasm of her father on the anniversary of his death

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 phantasm No one had meant more to Miami during the past three years, devoting themselves to painstakingly lifting a program plump with the phantasm of a reign long past. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026 In times of increasing cynicism and apathy in the zeitgeist, this phantasm extravaganza — at once humorously deadpan in its playful tableaus and poignantly sincere at its emotional core — feels like a breath of fresh air. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025 But is the gender phantasm as crucial to the global far right as Butler claims? — Katha Pollitt, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2024 Likewise, Poe’s devilish ambiguity, his production of phantasms both real and imagined, undergirds James’s own ventures into the genre. — Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 11 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for phantasm

Recent Examples of Synonyms for phantasm

Noun

The experience works because technology supports the illusion rather than dominating it.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Ukraine, though harboring no illusions about matching Russia’s long-range weaponry or the size of its fighting forces, has been ramping up domestic production of more advanced, longer-range drones and missiles.

— Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 9 July 2026

Definition of illusion

Noun

The music starts to shift beginning with the third episode, when Lestat becomes overwhelmed by the apparition of his abusive maker and other ghosts, including Claudia, whose killing he’d been forced to witness firsthand.

— Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
Reports of strange sounds, apparitions, and unexplained encounters continue to attract visitors.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026

Definition of apparition

Noun

Destinations that combine crystal-clear seas, warm sand tones and unspoilt scenery consistently stand out as the places people most dream about visiting.

— Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026
Let’s travel path two and figure out how this career part timer doesn’t have to put the rest of their life on hold while the dream career is still TBD.

— Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of dream

Noun

The same applies to the Lake of Tears, which seemed really important when Jim’s ghost showed up to tell Ethan to find it.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
The English have to contend with not only the ghost of Maradona’s two goals, but also the altitude in Mexico City, which is about 7,350 feet above sea level.

— Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of ghost

Noun

Although the third-place play-off counts towards fantasy points, that game is unlikely to be taken too seriously by either side and rotation could be an issue.

— Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
The white-on-white fantasy of the Starck years has given way to creams, corals, warm woods, and sculptural furniture that feels made to be used, not admired from across the room.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026

Definition of fantasy

Noun

So after years of working as a television producer, Saleh left broadcast journalism and leaned into her creative spirit.

— Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
All the most gasp-inspiring moments of visual awe — such as Moana soaring across the sea as a manta ray spirit swims underneath her — are just a little stronger, a little bolder and brighter, in their original art form.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026

Definition of spirit

Noun

And amidst the momentum of reverie, there’s the line ‘Blink at the light and hope to survive,’ because daydreams in a fascist state can be scary too.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 June 2026
One-touch passing, feinting and ripping hard shots into a tattered net, each is super-charged by vivid daydreams of glory on the international stage.

— Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026