as in notions
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action
on a whim, we stopped at the roadside stand to get ice cream
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Recent Examples of whims
This new agency should get access to NWF dollars and not have to depend on political whims for its funding, as is the case now.
—
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
While 7 million people showed up for the No Kings protest earlier this month, Democrats still do not control any meaningful power in Washington; the Supreme Court, Congress, and the White House are all proven loyal to Trump’s whims.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
Unlike the reception or other pre-wedding events that feature traditional elements like speeches or cake cutting, the after-party is a celebration that can be crafted entirely according to the whims of the couple.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
Still, one of the goals of the legislation, at least in theory, is for affordable-housing development to rely less on the whims of individual politicians.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 24 Oct. 2025
Michelle is more cunning, figuring out how to play these two to her whims, while Teddy struggles to prove her extraterrestrial origins.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
But Netanyahu was beholden for his political future to the radical minority that supported it, and constantly catered to their whims.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
Aside from anything else, supporter sentiment can be overwhelming; far more difficult to head off than the whims of journalists.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Reality may intrude for the Manifesto in the form of an all-electric powertrain, or an economic downturn, or simply the whims of those in Sant’Agata Bolognese who make the call.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2025
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
While 7 million people showed up for the No Kings protest earlier this month, Democrats still do not control any meaningful power in Washington; the Supreme Court, Congress, and the White House are all proven loyal to Trump’s whims.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
Unlike the reception or other pre-wedding events that feature traditional elements like speeches or cake cutting, the after-party is a celebration that can be crafted entirely according to the whims of the couple.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
Still, one of the goals of the legislation, at least in theory, is for affordable-housing development to rely less on the whims of individual politicians.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 24 Oct. 2025
Michelle is more cunning, figuring out how to play these two to her whims, while Teddy struggles to prove her extraterrestrial origins.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
But Netanyahu was beholden for his political future to the radical minority that supported it, and constantly catered to their whims.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
Aside from anything else, supporter sentiment can be overwhelming; far more difficult to head off than the whims of journalists.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Reality may intrude for the Manifesto in the form of an all-electric powertrain, or an economic downturn, or simply the whims of those in Sant’Agata Bolognese who make the call.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whims
Noun
-
By 1974, though, many women had already discarded those notions as instruments of domination, psychic equivalents of the whalebone corset.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
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Pritam’s Partition writings offer incisive critiques of the barbarity that became life with borders but also contest notions of belonging from a feminist perspective.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The public ones are subject to the vagaries of Wall Street.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
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Given the Rockies’ track record — seven consecutive losing seasons and just five playoff appearances in 33 years — and the challenges and vagaries of playing baseball at a mile above sea level, the job of rebuilding the franchise might seem undesirable for many.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The cabin is equally convincing, a refreshing alternative to the Top Gun-cockpit fantasies of some supercars.—
Lawrence Ulrich,
Robb Report,
29 Oct. 2025
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Coburg, Germany The cobbled squares, historic homes, and enormous, imposing castle in this gorgeous Bavarian town are the perfect setting to make all your Christmas fantasies come true.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whims.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whims. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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