FABULOUS Synonyms: 322 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fabulous' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fabulous are apocryphal , fictitious , legendary , and mythical . While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence. // a land of fabulous riches

Q: When is 'apocryphal' a more appropriate choice than 'fabulous'?

While the synonyms apocryphal and fabulous are close in meaning, apocryphal implies an unknown or dubious source or origin or may imply that the thing itself is dubious or inaccurate. // a book that repeats many apocryphal stories

Q: Where would 'fictitious' be a reasonable alternative to 'fabulous'?

The words fictitious and fabulous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception. // fictitious characters

Q: When might 'legendary' be a better fit than 'fabulous'?

The meanings of legendary and fabulous largely overlap; however, legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition. // the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

Q: When could 'mythical' be used to replace 'fabulous'?

Although the words mythical and fabulous have much in common, mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination. // mythical creatures

fabulous

adjective

ˈfa-byə-ləs

Definition of fabulous

as in legendary

based on, described in, or being a myth the city of Phoenix is named after a fabulous bird that every 500 years destroys itself with fire, only to rise again from its own ashes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wonderful

causing wonder or astonishment the fabulous sites of dazzlingly lit Las Vegas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fictional

not real and existing only in the imagination a story of a fabulous land where the people know nothing of war and live together in perfect harmony

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lovely

of the very best kind we had a fabulous time on our vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fabulous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fabulous are apocryphal, fictitious, legendary, and mythical. While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

When is apocryphal a more appropriate choice than fabulous?

While the synonyms apocryphal and fabulous are close in meaning, apocryphal implies an unknown or dubious source or origin or may imply that the thing itself is dubious or inaccurate.

a book that repeats many apocryphal stories

Where would fictitious be a reasonable alternative to fabulous?

The words fictitious and fabulous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.

fictitious characters

When might legendary be a better fit than fabulous?

The meanings of legendary and fabulous largely overlap; however, legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

When could mythical be used to replace fabulous?

Although the words mythical and fabulous have much in common, mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.

mythical creatures

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 fabulous Maybe someday, that will be fodder for a fabulous conversation on Ultimate Girls Trip. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 With the confidence of its fabulous freshmen soaring, USC rolls through Washington at home. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 Or go quite literal—and still just as fabulous—with Hello Tomato’s Tomato. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026 China’s economic boom has produced fabulous wealth, including more than 800 billionaires. — Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fabulous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous

Adjective

Art Art Rooney is considered one of the most legendary owners of all time, having founded the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933.

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
Not only was the double A-frame home crafted by a visionary postwar builder, but it was later owned by a legendary tastemaker.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of legendary

Adjective

The coast on this part of Tuscany is a little wild, but wonderful for swimming, and guests have access to the boat for excursions to nearby islands and morning swims off secret coves.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Gloria lived a full, wonderful life filled with friends and great conversations and worthy causes.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

In the footage, players follow the story of Jason and Lucia, a couple living in the fictional Vice City, who are picking up drugs, and their mission is thwarted by the police, who begin to raid the place.

— Moises Mendez II, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Claire Foy will also star in the film, playing a fictional reporter of The Sun that acts as a composite of various female reporters of the time period.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of fictional

Adjective

The cabin interiors are built from a lovely blonde wood, which was aesthetically pleasing, if a little creaky at times, while the white linens on the comfortable queen bed were a subtle reminder that this is a luxury accommodation.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
McGraw gave a lovely tribute to Parton via social media this week.

— David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of lovely

Adjective

Morris’s book focuses only on the representation of real animals; cataloguing mythic and hybrid creatures would take another volume entirely.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Equally jubilant and terrifying, his size brings both John and Jim Ross to this mythic quality.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of mythical

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fabulists

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fabulously

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“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of fabulous

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