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 Grants could be canceled due to political whims, and new layers of bureaucracy would inhibit basic scientific activities like publishing papers and attending conferences. — ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026 And, of course, for all his whims on the basketball court to come true. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Because the heat dome out east is dominating the skies, everything in the heat dome’s vicinity is at its whim as well. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 Even the richest emperors of the past did not have the ability to satisfy their whims that is now possessed by any student in Chicago or Berlin or Kinshasa. — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for whim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whim

Noun

President Claudia Sheinbaum has dismissed as fake news any notion that Mexico is in jeopardy of losing the collection.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
With food insecurity and school lunch debt a problem for many families, many North Dakotans are looking to the state to control the situation – a socialist notion.

— Kirk McClure, Fortune, 14 July 2026

Definition of notion

Noun

However, the success of these provisions will depend on the caprice of local politics.

— Christopher Calton, Oc Register, 29 June 2026
But statistics fail to convey the humanity of yard sales—the caprice, whimsy, and high spirits, as well as the cunning, weirdness, and heartbreak, that charge and thicken the air when two people agree to perform an off-the-books monetary transaction.

— Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026

Definition of caprice

Noun

That the actual, original Antifa formed in clandestine resistance to Nazi terror during the early 1930s appears lost amid the rhetorical vagaries of political propaganda.

— Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 10 July 2026
Wealth buys choice, leverage, and a cushion for the vagaries of a market economy.

— Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of vagary

Noun

The whimsy carries over to afternoon tea, served throughout the year in the hotel’s Pavilion and featuring fairytale and wondrous themes.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
The country’s tragic 21st-century travails provide much of the fodder for the couple’s drama in director Cyril Aris’ moving film, including whether to stay or emigrate, with touches of magical realism and whimsy providing levity.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 6 July 2026

Definition of whimsy

Noun

Although the third-place play-off counts towards fantasy points, that game is unlikely to be taken too seriously by either side and rotation could be an issue.

— Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 July 2026
The white-on-white fantasy of the Starck years has given way to creams, corals, warm woods, and sculptural furniture that feels made to be used, not admired from across the room.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026

Definition of fantasy

Noun

Here, The Athletic takes a look at some of the youngsters who will be hoping to make a positive impression.

— Andy Jones, New York Times, 14 July 2026
While the three-paragraph Puck item was hastily aggregated by other media outlets, giving the inaccurate impression a deal was imminent, it also was based on a key assumption.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 July 2026

Definition of impression

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 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of whim

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