Thesaurus results for WHIM

Q: How is the word 'whim' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of whim are caprice , crotchet , and vagary . While all these words mean "an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire," whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination. // an odd antique that was bought on a whim

Q: Where would 'caprice' be a reasonable alternative to 'whim'?

While in some cases nearly identical to whim , caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness. // by sheer caprice she quit her job

Q: When can 'crotchet' be used instead of 'whim'?

The words crotchet and whim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference. // a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

Q: When would 'vagary' be a good substitute for 'whim'?

The meanings of vagary and whim largely overlap; however, vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire. // he had been prone to strange vagaries

whim

noun

ˈ(h)wim

Definition of whim

as in notion

a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action on a whim, we stopped at the roadside stand to get ice cream

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word whim distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of whim are caprice, crotchet, and vagary. While all these words mean "an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire," whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination.

an odd antique that was bought on a whim

Where would caprice be a reasonable alternative to whim?

While in some cases nearly identical to whim, caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness.

by sheer caprice she quit her job

When can crotchet be used instead of whim?

The words crotchet and whim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference.

a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

When would vagary be a good substitute for whim?

The meanings of vagary and whim largely overlap; however, vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire.

he had been prone to strange vagaries

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 whim The players are not responsible for the whims of their ownership. — Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026 Janse uses no-till farming on his fields — not plowing the soil, planting crops to cover the ground year-round and adding organic matter — to help cope with the whims of the weather as climate change triggers more extremes. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 The question is whether that dash is written intentionally or at the whims of the universe. — Catherine Bell, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Such temperatures also ground firefighting aircraft, leaving cities, towns and forests even more vulnerable to a wildfire’s whims. — John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whim

Noun

As for whether there are actual strategic reasons for his dominance in Armstrong, Tiafoe dismissed the notion.

— Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Only truly sophisticated taste, in this code, grasps the superiority of deprivation over the more ethnic notions of actual comfort and good food.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of notion

Noun

For one thing covetousness, as opposed to the more concrete sins like theft or murder or adultery, is a thought crime, and almost all that goes on here, happens within the minds of the characters.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
Halftime thoughts The Hurricanes go into halftime with a 28-6 lead on Stanford.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of thought

Noun

There is really no way to talk about the film unless one falls back on wispy vagaries and pointed allusions to cinematic precedents, or just explaining the act one set-up and then stopping with the warning that things get really weird thereafter.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Of course, the ultimate risk for owning these stocks is familiar to all investors, namely the vagaries of the market itself.

— Norah Rami, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of vagary

Noun

Suckers for a touch of whimsy, the company’s window dressers once garnished a display inspired by the Garde Républicaine, a famous French cavalry division, with a pile of horse manure.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Amid the bloodbaths and whimsy, however, Eddie is evolving into someone new.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of whimsy

Browse Nearby Words

whilst

whim

whimper

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“Whim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whim. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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