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 Fall also brings a seasonal dose of whimsy to downtown West Jefferson. — Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026 The varying shapes and sizes give the manicure a whimsy, almost candy-like finish that catches the light from every angle. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026 Following suit with her ongoing romantic comedy homage wardrobe, Reinhart’s dress was full of whimsy — cast in pink with a bouquet of green florals and botanicals cascading throughout the wispy chiffon fabric. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026 Folklore Taylor Swift Folklore’s angelic aura is best captured with gauzy peasant dresses, soft boho details, and a touch of woodland whimsy. — Zoe Weiner, StyleCaster, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whimsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whimsy
  1. whim
  2. humor
  3. caprice
Noun
  • But elevating the whims of progressive activists and government bureaucrats above the wisdom of the marketplace has proven a costly mistake and undermined consumer choice.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • All of this makes the recent terminations tricky for OpenAI and shows that safety disclosures are still very much at the whims of the labs.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of whim
Noun
  • Comedy can be harder to export, Barrois notes, given its reliance on local humor.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The end result is a sharp, unapologetic art-house novel full of gravitas, humor and heartbreaking revelations about the Black American experience and the thousand and one ways our nation can shatter Black souls.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of humor
Noun
  • And having survived centuries of royal caprice, and at least one arson attack, the pavilion is now a museum, open to the masses.
    — Lauren Frayer, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Festivals, with their many equity pipers to pay, contend with further caprices.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 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 12 Oct. 2026.

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