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visionary

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noun

1
as in diviner
one who predicts future events or developments according to Greek myth, Cassandra was a visionary who was endowed with the gift of inerrant prophecy but fated to never be believed

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in dreamer
one whose conduct is guided more by the image of perfection than by the real world 19th-century visionaries who founded short-lived communities in which everyone was supposed to live in perfect peace and harmony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective visionary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of visionary are chimerical, fanciful, fantastic, imaginary, and quixotic. While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization.

visionary schemes

How is chimerical related to other words for visionary?

Chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic.

chimerical dreams of future progress

When might fanciful be a better fit than visionary?

In some situations, the words fanciful and visionary are roughly equivalent. However, fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination.

a teller of fanciful stories

When can fantastic be used instead of visionary?

The meanings of fantastic and visionary largely overlap; however, fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief.

a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

When is imaginary a more appropriate choice than visionary?

Although the words imaginary and visionary have much in common, imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination.

an imaginary desert isle

When could quixotic be used to replace visionary?

While in some cases nearly identical to visionary, quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense.

a quixotic crusade

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 visionary
Adjective
Through her visionary leadership at Morgan Murphy Media and her tireless work with NAB, Liz left an indelible mark on broadcasting that will endure for generations. Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025 Hollywood veterans as both producers and former co-chiefs of the film division at MGM, DeLuca and Abdy are renowned for their deep relationships with visionary moviemakers and long connection to prestige moviedom. Chris Lee, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
On the heels of U.S. indie producer Ted Hope who kicked off ECAM Forum’s masterclass sessions with standout industry voices in 2024, Bonello will discuss his visionary work on June 12 at the Cineteca Madrid. Annika Pham, Variety, 12 May 2025 There were exquisite showings from artists who rarely seem to make it to Colorado, like visionary trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, pianist Sylvie Courvoisier and the electrifying British quartet {Ahmed}. Bret Saunders, Denver Post, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for visionary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for visionary
Adjective
  • Within weeks of Molly’s arrival in Ireland, her relationship with Jason evolved from professional to romantic.
    Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 10 May 2025
  • Skip the middleman and devise your own romantic tale.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • This can lead to overly cautious investment choices and missed opportunities for growth.
    Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
  • Please be cautious in entering personal information as seedlings for your romance stories.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • That spells trouble in the Indo-Pacific, a watery region where military leaders and Beltway diviners believe a war over Taiwan could erupt as soon as 2027.
    Colin Demarest, Axios, 8 Mar. 2025
  • That spells trouble in the Indo-Pacific, a watery region where military leaders and Beltway diviners believe a war over Taiwan could erupt as soon as 2027.
    Colin Demarest, Axios, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • For dreamers who still cling to hope in the City of Angels, there needs to be.
    Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Wembley notebook: Man City show nous to set up FA Cup final with Palace dreamers Manchester City were in the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the seventh season running yesterday.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Real estate investments, including rental properties, (DSTs) with cash if a 1031 exchange is impractical, or real estate investment trusts (REITs), can produce regular income through rental payments.
    Fred Hubler, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • This highly contentious deal was criticized for being inhumane and impractical at the time.
    Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Helios, the Greek god of the sun, and Luna, the mythical goddess of the moon, stand guard at either end of Celestial Park.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025
  • The green obsidian was also thought to have a symbolic connection to Tollan, a mythical city where the god Quetzalcoatl lived, which was believed to be the ancestral origin of Mexico’s civilizations.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • The review process is careful for a reason – and perhaps the only real method of speeding it up is the one Zeldin has proposed: reassigning staff so there are more people to share the work.
    Jeffrey Gore, The Conversation, 14 May 2025
  • From examining markets and assessing team capacity to reviewing current offerings, the decision to expand to a second storefront is one that requires careful consideration before any concrete plans are put in motion.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • His tenure was short-lived, however: within a year, he was declared a sinner and imprisoned by another Acholi prophet: Joseph Kony.
    Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
  • He is considered a prophet who led the Israelites out of slavery in the Exodus.
    Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Visionary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/visionary. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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