fantastic

adjective

fan-ˈta-stik How to pronounce fantastic (audio)
variants also fantastical
Definition of fantasticnext
1
as in bizarre
conceived or made without regard for reason or reality a fantastic scheme for getting rich quick

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2
as in romantic
excitingly or mysteriously unusual to European explorers, the Far East was a fantastic land filled with unimaginable riches

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3
as in fictional
not real and existing only in the imagination a science fiction writer who can conjure up fantastic worlds and make them seem as real as our own

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4
as in incredible
too extraordinary or improbable to believe concocted some fantastic story to try to explain why they had returned home so late

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5
as in wonderful
fantastic of the very best kind surfing conditions were simply fantastic

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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 In recent years, headlines about the country focused on the scale of its ambition, or the fantastical giga-projects girding Vision 2030, the full-steam-ahead drive to remake the kingdom into a business and entertainment powerhouse. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 Appleton produces some other fantastic expressions, including a 17-year-old that came out a few years ago and a remarkable rum aged for 51 years, but the Hearts Collection remains the pinnacle of the portfolio. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026 Airing for eight seasons between 1964 and 1972, the fantastical series followed the daily adventures of a powerful witch who attempted to live as a typical suburban housewife alongside her mortal husband. — Justine Fisher, PEOPLE, 12 Oct. 2026 And in Alaska, Miss Peltola is doing a fantastic job in arguing the case. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fantastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantastic
  1. bizarre
  2. romantic
  3. fictional
  4. incredible
  5. wonderful
  6. absurd
  7. exotic
  8. imaginary
Adjective
  • But at the center of this story is a man named Michael Organ who turns out to be a bizarre, seemingly dangerous conman.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Aside from spreading fear and anxiety through the agricultural labor force — which might be the point, if the hope is many will self-deport — the surge is having some other bizarre and probably unintended consequences.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • People love spy stories, but there is nothing amusing, or romantic, about this one.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The romantic Turing Test When Franky Vergara’s cousin asked him how to respond to a flirtatious Hinge message, Vergara, a 23-year-old living in San Diego, didn’t know how to help.
    — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of romantic
Adjective
  • Gascón will play Manuela, a teacher in an elite school, and Ituño the the role of Evita, the personal secretary to the prime minister of the series’ fictional country.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The series takes place during the fictional two-term Democratic administration of President Josiah Bartlet, played by Martin Sheen.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of fictional
Adjective
  • The quick thinking to observe, to then park and follow someone into the school is incredible and undoubtedly saved people.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • There's an incredible amount to explore between northern lights hunting sessions.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of incredible
Adjective
  • The pom-pom sandals at Givenchy were wonderful, fun, unexpected and exactly what fashion lovers are looking for from a spring runway show.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Expect to see rare bottles pulled from the shelves and all manner of weird and wonderful concoctions offered up from the menu and from their encyclopedic knowledge of drinks.
    — Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • This episode notably lacked any nod to Trump, though mentions of the president as a whole have been brief compared to the previous season, when the president was the show’s focal point for absurd antics.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • And Saturday’s win proved that his plan to pursue championships — something that seemed absurd amid a lost 2025 season — has a real possibility of paying off with one.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of absurd
Adjective
  • For Kreischer, the ideal burger doesn't require exotic ingredients or elaborate toppings.
    — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The rewards can be exotic (like the horns of a massive argali ram) or they can be rooted in personal history (like a single perfect archery shot after a decades-long bowhunting career).
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of exotic
Adjective
  • The wealth tax opponents have applied the age-old technique of mustering superficially plausible, but largely imaginary, consequences of passage.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The genre gave him considerably more freedom to invent architectural settings, mixing classical ruins, waterways, and figures into elaborate imaginary landscapes.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of imaginary

Phrases Containing fantastic

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Cite this Entry

“Fantastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fantastic. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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