variants also fantastical
Definition of fantasticnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fantastic different from other adjectives like it?

The words bizarre and grotesque are common synonyms of fantastic. While all three words mean "conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality," fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention.

dreamed up fantastic rumors

When is it sensible to use bizarre instead of fantastic?

The meanings of bizarre and fantastic largely overlap; however, bizarre applies to the sensationally strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination.

a bizarre medieval castle in the heart of a modern city

Where would grotesque be a reasonable alternative to fantastic?

Although the words grotesque and fantastic have much in common, grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones.

grotesque statues on the cathedral
though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile

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 fantastic Like Klein’s last album, the fantastic sleep with a cane, much of the album is taken up by string samples that hover in the stereo field like a low-hanging fog. — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026 But in terms of the twins, Rex and Ash were just fantastic together. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026 Sale is a fantastic pitcher, but he’s been asked to carry a heavy burden in October. — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026 The upstairs movie theater, for instance, is wrapped in a fantastical Matières Végétales jungle wallpaper by French design house Élitis. — Amira Hashish, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fantastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantastic
Adjective
  • But, pounded thin, breaded, and fried, served under lashings of sweet-sharp blackberry sauce, with a confetti of whole blackberries and leaves of mint, the lamb version was brilliant and bizarre, a symphony of strong-willed flavors.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • There was such a bizarre synergy between that film and being the same namesake as this doll.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Morgan developed the test with her longtime collaborator and romantic partner, Harvard psychology professor Henry Murray (Crowe).
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Pike committed the murder over an intense romantic jealousy of Slemmer, who allegedly attempted to steal her boyfriend’s attention.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Set in a small fictional town called Awatahi, the show explores the murder of 17-year-old Jodie Hunter.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • People have since replaced the imp with fictional people like Sam and Dean Winchester and Wednesday Addams, public figures like Gypsy-Rose Blanchard and even mascots like Ronald McDonald.
    — Angela Yang, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Within a few years, Torra was playing in metal bands across Long Island, belting out songs by Skid Row, Cinderella, Ratt, and yes, Quiet Riot, with incredible power and force.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
  • There are so many incredible materials for artists here, all for free.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • There is a wonderful museum in the park that interactively showcases the landscape and cultural history of the Chacabuco Valley as well as this part of the region's ecological loss and path to recovery.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Howell and Sloyan are quite wonderful in these moments, and Howell is exceptional throughout.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Alongside Kardashian, Watts, Nash-Betts and Paulson, the series stars Teyana Taylor, Matthew Noszka and Glenn Close, who all one-up each other with deliriously absurd lines of dialogue.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The title comes from a phrase that became part of his creative vocabulary and began appearing in sketches whenever an absurd situation called for a perfectly incredulous response.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Sense of place is established with photographs of Palma, an exotic green-tile basement pool and hammam, and Tannur restaurant, which serves up hearty Mallorcan food.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The muscle car collection As part of his plea agreement, Iley agreed to forfeit more than 90 exotic and collector vehicles bought with money from the scheme.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • What matters most is being comfortably inside the path and away from the hard edges, not standing on an imaginary line drawn through its middle.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Each nutty denunciation of his imaginary tormentors includes a plea for a presidential pardon.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fantastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fantastic. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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