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 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 If the project seems somewhat convoluted and unnecessarily complex, Dreier has emphasized that’s in part because the US space program has been subject to budget uncertainties and the shifting whims of presidential administrations. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 Given the national security stakes, the prospect of foreign governments being able to suspend access to critical models at a whim started to feel like an unacceptable risk. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whim

Noun

Paul Schmidt, a Covington & Burling trial attorney representing Meta, contested O'Neill's arguments, and disputed the notion that Meta executives misled the public with their statements about child safety.

— Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Ogunyemi rejects the notion that encouragement is merely a soft leadership practice that can’t be connected to measurable business outcomes.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 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

A lot of thought goes into each episode, but so much of what ends up happening is very guerrilla-style.

— Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026
Although Swift has yet to speak about their wedding, Kelce has already shared his thoughts, breaking his silence at a press conference.

— Meg Walters, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of thought

Noun

In both cases, there is something at once magisterial and leadenly self-regarding about the melancholic rhythms of Cusk’s prose, with its stiff and stately syntax and its utter impatience with the real vagaries of difference.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Some of the long time lag reflected the vagaries and limitations of travel in the mid-19th century, when moving family, servants, and belongings via horse and buggy in the winter months made a longer period necessary.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of vagary

Noun

The Reluctant Traveler‘s whimsy comes from that exact skepticism, which Levy turns into curiosity about other people’s exposure to the world.

— Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
Ahead, discover 20 polka dot nail ideas to add a little whimsy to your next manicure.

— Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of whimsy

Noun

Even longtime Santa Fe residents (my family has lived in the city for more than 30 years) describe the hotel as transportive, less like checking into a resort and more like entering a private fantasy world.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
The Lions are projected to have a far better offense, and Gibbs has averaged easily the most fantasy points in NFL history during games without David Montgomery.

— Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of fantasy

Noun

While this may have been KiiiKiii’s first time in North America, their music has left a lasting impression on listeners.

— Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Instead, fans have only seen short clips of Mourinho’s impressions via the club’s in-house media channels.

— Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 19 Aug. 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 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of whim

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