phantasms

noun

variants also fantasms
plural of phantasm
1
as in illusions
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
2
as in apparitions
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for phantasms
  1. illusions
  2. apparitions
  3. visions
  4. spirits
  5. dreams
  6. ghosts
  7. fantasies
  8. shadows
Noun
  • Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shattered Europe’s remaining illusions not just about Moscow but also about Beijing.
    — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, 95 people—Millennial and Gen Z men and women, all of whom had a history of using Instagram for an average of eight years—underwent a virtual reality experience called body illusions.
    — Nicole Karlis, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of illusions
Noun
  • That is, until miraculous apparitions turn it into a place to be.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Today, the massive complex attracts paranormal investigators who report apparitions, voices, and other unexplained phenomena.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
Definition of apparitions
Noun
  • Although the exhibit features 27 separate visions and artworks, there’s a sense of cohesion among the installations, murals and sculptures.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • This could be a change of scenery or perhaps a new mindset that inspires new visions and opportunities for the future.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of visions
Noun
  • Dolly Parton made her final public appearance just two months before her death at the age of 80 and was in good spirits at the time.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Alcoholic beverages Wine, beer, spirits, including whiskey, vodka, gin, are all impacted.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of spirits
Noun
  • For many people, the drawers full of sweets in the Brittany Mahomes video are the stuff of dreams.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Too close to the source and our dreams will be burned to ashes by the needs and personality of the host itself.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of dreams
Noun
  • The official residence was the site of two bloody coup attempts in the 1930s, and legend has it that the building is haunted by ghosts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • However, for Penelope—and for myself—these ghosts are not liminal, but present.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of ghosts
Noun
  • Ancient buildings are not fantasies beyond reach, but the living evidence of history’s continuing line.
    — Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But those ads fueled my childhood music fantasies in ways that still hit deep for me.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of fantasies
Noun
  • Ivan’s room feels practically airless, his face obscured in shadows, or captured in hazy side profiles, as Anica’s bright, concerned gaze holds the frame’s focus.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • While looking at the shadows, Crimmins allegedly maneuvered the grapple so that its shadow appeared to grab Lynch’s shadow.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of shadows
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.

Browse Nearby Words

phantasmic
phantasms
phantom
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Cite this Entry

“Phantasms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phantasms. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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