as in imaginary
not real and existing only in the imagination
the company claimed that the only hazards involving its product were the phantom dangers created by consumer groups
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ghost
the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people
Halloween is supposed to be a time when phantoms return to walk among us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of phantom
Lora Kolodny,jennifer Elias,annie Palmer, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
The concept of vampire energy, also known as phantom load, is often discussed in relation to electronic devices, but merely hearing the term doesn't provide a suitable explanation for what is actually happening.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025
Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025
When the surplus was exposed as a phantom, the state was stuck with a chronic income/outgo gap that persists.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phantom
Adjective
The company issued a software recall in March for some of its test fleet to resolve a phantom braking issue that prompted a NHTSA investigation.
—Lora Kolodny,jennifer Elias,annie Palmer, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
The concept of vampire energy, also known as phantom load, is often discussed in relation to electronic devices, but merely hearing the term doesn't provide a suitable explanation for what is actually happening.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2025
Noun
Veneziale’s dad is often responsible for picking up items further afield, such as an animated phantom that had been listed on Facebook Marketplace.
—Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025
When the surplus was exposed as a phantom, the state was stuck with a chronic income/outgo gap that persists.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phantom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phantom
Adjective
-
As players shoot around, Jake cradles a ball before blowing past an imaginary defender to hammer home a dunk.—
Mirin Fader,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
At the opening, Natalie, bored and filled with loathing for her parents, flees her family home by retreating into imaginary worlds of vivid, eroticized violence.—
Erin Somers,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The ghosts of a 37-0 shutout to Iowa less than a month ago still lingered — the boos that faded into silence, the homecoming crowd that emptied before the fourth quarter, the scoreboard stuck on humiliation.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Pacino stars as the enigmatic titular figure, described as part muse, part ghost of cinema past.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In a white Ford Expedition with exempt plates and red emergency lights, Farzam stopped at a checkpoint manned by the National Guard on January 17 and presented a document showing the vehicle was registered to the fictitious Santa Muerte Fire Department, prosecutors said.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The film is set in a version of America that, while fictitious, still feels distinctly American.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Sam slips back into her addiction and as her alcoholism worsens, so do the visions and apparitions that seem to be haunting the forest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
-
One of the most stunning exhibitions of the year put the spotlight on Our Lady of Guadalupe, which has a long history dating back to 1531, tied to four apparitions of the Virgin Mary to a peasant in Mexico.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Anmore and Fort Langley — to make up the fictional community.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
-
SpringHill’s involvement signals a likely retention of the original’s format, with real sports stars playing themselves as clients of the fictional sports agency.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Despite its name, the bar operates as a globally minded cocktail destination with equal attention paid to other spirits, along with small bites and an impressive cigar selection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
-
What’s unique about Tasovská’s approach is that the entire film is composed of Jarcovjáková’s photographs, infusing her artistic spirit into every frame.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The repetition of that mythic version has buttressed the belief that the fight for American independence was an event somehow separate from world history.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
That was a really great mythic take.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Both blend horrific imagery in the real and imagined world, however.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Yet politicians often effectively leverage fears to garner votes, and companies routinely market unnecessary products that promise protection from imagined or exaggerated harms.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Phantom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phantom. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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