fad

noun

ˈfad How to pronounce fad (audio)
Definition of fadnext
as in craze
a practice or interest that is very popular for a short time once the fad for that kind of music had passed, nobody would have been caught dead listening to it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fad distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of fad are craze, fashion, mode, rage, style, and vogue. While all these words mean "the usage accepted by those who want to be up-to-date," fad suggests caprice in taking up or in dropping a fashion.

last year's fad is over

Where would fashion be a reasonable alternative to fad?

Although the words fashion and fad have much in common, fashion is the most general term and applies to any way of dressing, behaving, writing, or performing that is favored at any one time or place.

the current fashion

When might mode be a better fit than fad?

While the synonyms mode and fad are close in meaning, mode suggests the fashion of the moment among those anxious to appear elegant and sophisticated.

slim bodies are the mode at this resort

How are the words rage and craze related as synonyms of fad?

Both rage and craze stress intense enthusiasm in adopting a fad.

Cajun food was the rage nearly everywhere for a time
crossword puzzles once seemed just a passing craze but have lasted

When would style be a good substitute for fad?

The words style and fad are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, style often implies a distinctive fashion adopted by people of taste.

a media baron used to traveling in style

When can vogue be used instead of fad?

The meanings of vogue and fad largely overlap; however, vogue stresses the wide acceptance of a fashion.

short skirts are back in vogue

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 fad Unlike other quick-passing fads, however, butterflycore and its sister, fairycore, are rooted in longstanding visual languages. — Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2026 Young Chinese people, like young Americans, are partaking in a new fad for fortune-telling. — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Their strength has always been their ability to think beyond election cycles, market fluctuations, technological fads, and the crises of the moment. — David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 After all, InStyle’s Senior Editor Jordan Julian tells me that the freaky flat fad isn’t going anywhere. — Tessa Petak, InStyle, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fad
  1. craze
  2. trend
  3. latest
  4. vogue
  5. rage
Noun
  • Apart from being a lipstick indicator, the bedazzling craze is one more example of the younger generation’s obsession with the analog economy and consumer culture from over 20 years ago before technology owned their attention.
    — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There’s such a great interest now in what life was like before the craze of social media and now AI.
    — Derek C. Blasberg, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of craze
Noun
  • Here are a few more tips from our experts on raising a self-sufficient child in the face of the snowplow parenting trend.
    — Cheryl Maguire, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Also in Shanghai, and increasingly elsewhere, brands continue to favor the slow pop-up model over a long-term real estate commitment due to not only the uncertain outlook, but the incredibly fast churn of market trends.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of trend
Noun
  • The latests stats mean AI music has exploded by 650% in 16 months.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The latests forecasts show a new round of storm systems will increase rain chances across much of Northern California and the Central Valley in the coming days.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of latest
Noun
  • The Noho institution celebrated its 42nd year with birthday cake and a vogue ball.
    — Jeremy Rellosa, Curbed, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Display Fresh Foliage Long cut branches with vibrant fall leaves remain en vogue among designers for perfectly subtle autumnal kitchen decor.
    — Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of vogue
Noun
  • Even among the worldliest of us, an unexpected roundabout can trigger a fireworks-and-bald-eagles display of patriotic rage.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Pushing boundaries for new radiopharmaceuticals Radiopharmaceuticals are all the rage in some biotech circles, but some voices of caution are saying slow down.
    — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of rage

Browse Nearby Words

faculty
fad
faddish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on fad

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fad

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