PHANTASMAL Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

phantasmal

adjective

Definition of phantasmal

as in imaginary

not real and existing only in the imagination phantasmal fears that have prevented her from living a normal life

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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 phantasmal The Mellotron occupies a phantasmal space in our pop culture consciousness. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026 Beyond that, all apparent structures are merely phantasmal. — Big Think, 27 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for phantasmal

Adjective

Its Escape to Moominvalley exhibition, open through October 2026, examines how architecture, home and landscape shaped the imaginary world created by Finnish artist and author Tove Jansson.

— David Nikel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Anyway, Will Venable has my imaginary vote, though Mike Vasil's wizardry might be the bigger reason why the White Sox are rolling.

— Andy McCullough, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of imaginary

Adjective

Rather than shattering the illusion, the heroine invents an increasingly elaborate fictional life to protect her mother — and, ultimately, herself.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 July 2026
Her feature-length films include the documentaries The factory is full (2012) and Shores (2015), and the fictional feature Pawn Street (2017).

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 21 July 2026

Definition of fictional

Adjective

The World Heritage inscription of Mount Olympus, the mythical home of the 12 Olympian gods, rewarded a 12-year effort by Greece to secure recognition for its tallest mountain as a mixed cultural and natural heritage site.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
The original Cappuccino enjoys near-mythical status among enthusiasts, especially as Japanese domestic-market classics continue to rise in value worldwide.

— Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of mythical

Adjective

Peter [Merry] likes to use is that, when a caterpillar is becoming a butterfly, new ‘imaginal cells’ emerge.

— Big Think, Big Think, 7 Aug. 2025
With one technique, for example—called imaginal exposure—you might be asked to visualize the process of going to the airport, boarding the plane, and experiencing a bad bout of turbulence.

— Angela Haupt, TIME, 10 May 2024

Definition of imaginal

Adjective

Thankfully, there’s a wonderful piece of technology called AI out there that’s perfect for realizing the juvenile aesthetic predilections of stunted creatives who want to wallow in an imagined idea of what the past was like.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 July 2026
By recognizing the disconnect between imagined worst-case scenarios and reality, individuals can manage their anxiety.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of imagined

Browse Nearby Words

phantasmagoric

phantasmal

phantasmic

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“Phantasmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phantasmal. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of phantasmal

adjective

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