Synonym Chooser

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 This should be five-alarm fire for Wall Street, an institution that owes much of its success to the existence of a US monetary policy nerve center that is, by law and by tradition, insulated from the whims of any one party or politician. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025 However, the unions seem committed to pushing for change regardless of the political whims of the current administration. Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025 This makes the younger generation more susceptible and vulnerable to falling prey to the whims of a bot. The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025 In this still-early stage of the AI boom, Silicon Valley, for all its impunity, has chosen not to voice robust ideas about democracy that differ substantively from the whims of a mercurial White House. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for whim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whim
Noun
  • But these teachings challenge any notion of hoarding resources for oneself—or one’s precious group—at the expense of others in need.
    John Fugelsang September 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But the notion that the president himself is the leader of Tren de Aragua is a bit of stretch, according to Ronna Rísquez, the author of the book El Tren de Aragua.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The caprice of the wind was the only reason there was evidence to recover in the first place.
    Henry Leutwyler Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 20 May 2025
  • Fear of political caprice masquerading as strategy, of a trade war metastasizing into financial contagion, and of a world where traditional safe havens—currencies, institutions, alliances—no longer offer much safety at all.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Here, though, the research team is trying to model people’s thoughts on financial policy, which is why the enumerated outcomes include initial rate recommendations, made up of a preferred policy rate, a confidence score, and a summary.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Lauren, 40, then chimed in with her own thoughts on what makes their relationship work after all these years.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While Jane Austen is best known for skewering the vagaries of romantic love in her novels, there is another, equally complicated and meaningful type of relationship that runs through them, too — that of siblings.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Other PAs are responding to the vagaries of the modern entertainment industry by coming together to unionize.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • These are not fantasies drummed up by the Left despite claims from Paxton and his most ardent supporters.
    Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Cavill's film is a new version of the 1986 action-fantasy about an immortal Scottish swordsman's battle against another immortal warrior that starred Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In The Girlfriend, the truth is malleable, open to change based on our biases, judgments, whimsies, and desires.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Then come the florals—lush, romantic, full of whimsy—before the icons land with striking confidence, like the bold centerpiece of the board.
    Allure Editors, Allure, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • If one of those trails doesn’t catch your fancy, there are plenty more.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2025
  • But the Browns, with a 40-year-old quarterback, four offensive linemen signed only for this season and a defense that carries and fancies itself as one of the league’s best, know what things are supposed to look like and what the roadmap to success — even temporary success — has to be.
    Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Whim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whim. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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