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
-
In these ways, Puerto Rican Muslims remind me that notions of community, identity or justice do not stand on their own.—
Ken Chitwood,
The Conversation,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Established in 2023, the biennial prize is given in recognition of next-gen multidisciplinary artists working at the intersection of art, media, and technology to explore notions of futurity and transformation.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The rest, only time and the shifting vagaries of the season, will reveal.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
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Their bond is strained both by the vagaries of politics and by the slow stirring of Arthur’s conscience.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Luke, however, didn’t mind sharing his sometimes pie-in-the-sky fantasies and hopes with others.—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
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Chartering a speedboat, we were whisked into the bay, a spellbinding expanse of calm, amniotic water dotted with more than 50 tiny islands and pristine beaches that called to mind castaway fantasies.—
David Amsden,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 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
Cite this Entry
“Whims.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whims. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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