fantasy 1 of 2

variants also phantasy
Definition of fantasynext
1
2
as in imagination
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others the painter gave free rein to his fantasy to create pictures that capture the kind of reality we experience only in our dreams

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in fiction
something that is the product of the imagination we were coming to the conclusion that the person Karen "saw" in the woods was another one of her fantasies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fantasy

2 of 2

verb

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 fantasy
Noun
Some suites include balconies that overlook a busy road, ensuring the fantasy doesn’t drift too far from reality. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 On April 26, Venus will meet with Neptune in a harmonious sextile, adding an air of fantasy, sweetness and courage. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026 Civic spending in all but eight states testifies to the fact that the Lost Cause fantasy was not an aberration or an abomination, but the reality across the country. Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026 Uniting them to make Christopher Hampton’s magnificent screenplay come to life is a fantasy realized. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fantasy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantasy
Noun
  • Near the end of this complex six-hundred-page book, Yamashita switches to a collective pronoun, suggesting that a common dream has connected her characters.
    Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • For aspiring writers scrolling through deal announcements on industry sites or social media, those vague labels can fuel both dreams and misconceptions.
    Josh Rivera, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Unlike my writing, which is tightly constructed and works to make meaning of experience, my art relies most heavily on imagination.
    Gabe Montesanti, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Only when the moment is over does the universe expand again, waiting for Johnson’s imagination to explore it.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Sasha is no longer a child, but an adult woman (Amy Zimmer) who, like Romvari, blends documentary and fiction filmmaking in an attempt to re-create or better understand the family dynamics that came to define so much of her youth.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
  • For the week ending April 19, 2026 Here are this week’s Independent Press Top 40 Bestsellers for fiction, based on sales in hundreds of independent bookstores nationwide, generously provided by the American Booksellers Association.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The screenplay, written by Samy Burch, is inspired by a 1990 The New Yorker article that imagines a legal case against Acme.
    Kennedy French, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
  • People too often imagine the Church as having played second fiddle in colonial history, jumping on opportunities opened up by the actions of kings, navigators, and merchants.
    Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • But as their profile rises, so do the risks, and the illusion proves increasingly difficult to maintain.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Jaden McDaniels isn’t worried about the illusion of respect.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Be honest about what’s workable, and let creativity thrive within boundaries.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
  • These details feel distinctly human, inviting curiosity, creativity, and connection.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The 2-panel chart below tells the tale.
    Carter Braxton Worth, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Whitman’s poetry and prose; Melville’s early romances of the sea, Typee, Omoo, and Mardi; three novels by Harriet Beecher Stowe, including Uncle Tom’s Cabin; and the complete tales and sketches of Nathaniel Hawthorne.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That includes the 49ers, who walked away with a set of three draft picks Friday that no one envisioned.
    Vic Tafur, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Stefanishyna envisions a reciprocal partnership with Washington, in which each side can provide the other with critical assistance.
    Trudy Rubin, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fantasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fantasy. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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