whimsy

noun

ˈ(h)wim-zē How to pronounce whimsy (audio)
variants also whimsey
Definition of whimsynext
as in whim
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action the pop singer's latest whimsy is that she has acting talent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 whimsy And for anyone who likes their coastal digs mostly white but not entirely without a little whimsy, the wallpaper might just seal the deal. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026 Kallmeyer’s Elaiza and Staud’s Freda are more polished standouts, while Chloé’s ruffled number provides a bit of whimsy with a softer palette. — Corinne Pierre-Louis, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026 Too often, a pop singer’s maturity comes at the expense of her whimsy. — Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026 A bit of fishing-village whimsy intertwined with underwater kaiju action? — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whimsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimsy
  1. whim
  2. humor
  3. caprice
Noun
  • Shaw’s witty drawing-room debates also warn of a society indulging its whims as catastrophe approaches — a question of how to live when the world careens toward darkness.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • While mega oil and gas companies pay for some of the greatest intelligence in the world, even the world's greatest intelligence gatherers are subject to the whims of rogues with missile launchers.
    — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of whim
Noun
  • Now, Gomez finds humor in the video and even some pride in how unapologetically endearing her teenage self was.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Their performances — at London’s West End in 2009 and on New York’s Broadway in 2013-14 — were praised for their humor and comedy.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of humor
Noun
  • Ye-ji has a hunky hedge-fund-type husband, Sang-woo (Zo In-sung), who condescendingly tolerates, but doesn’t finance, his wife’s cinematic caprices.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But Gurdon doesn’t hold up the caprices and improvisations of her childhood as either a model or a cautionary tale.
    — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of caprice

Browse Nearby Words

whimsies
whimsy
whim-whams
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Cite this Entry

“Whimsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whimsy. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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