Thesaurus results for WHIM

Q: How is the word 'whim' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of whim are caprice , crotchet , and vagary . While all these words mean "an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire," whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination. // an odd antique that was bought on a whim

Q: Where would 'caprice' be a reasonable alternative to 'whim'?

While in some cases nearly identical to whim , caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness. // by sheer caprice she quit her job

Q: When can 'crotchet' be used instead of 'whim'?

The words crotchet and whim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference. // a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

Q: When would 'vagary' be a good substitute for 'whim'?

The meanings of vagary and whim largely overlap; however, vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire. // he had been prone to strange vagaries

whim

noun

ˈ(h)wim

Definition of whim

as in notion

a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action on a whim, we stopped at the roadside stand to get ice cream

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word whim distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of whim are caprice, crotchet, and vagary. While all these words mean "an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire," whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination.

an odd antique that was bought on a whim

Where would caprice be a reasonable alternative to whim?

While in some cases nearly identical to whim, caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness.

by sheer caprice she quit her job

When can crotchet be used instead of whim?

The words crotchet and whim are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference.

a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets

When would vagary be a good substitute for whim?

The meanings of vagary and whim largely overlap; however, vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire.

he had been prone to strange vagaries

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 whim And where they, too, are terrified by the whims of those above them. — Mark Lilla, The New York Review of Books, 29 Sep. 2026 There are many reasons the United States needs clear, stable regulations on artificial intelligence, rather than relying on the whims of a leader. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026 Behold the plight of the Ryan Murphy character, cursed to behave nonsensically and flit wildly from plotline to plotline based on the writer’s whims. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026 Although Muslims made up a third of India’s population, they were thinly spread across the country and in any new democratic system would almost always find themselves at the whims of the Hindu majority. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whim

Noun

That’s life in the SEC, a notion Drinkwitz often reminds his players.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
As performance cars increasingly isolate drivers from the mechanical process of driving, the simple act of reaching for that unique shift knob reinforces the notion that the tactile pleasures of driving are still worth celebrating.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of notion

Noun

Sympathy comes later, unleashed in 18th-century thought through Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759).

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Those 20 words--all but three of them single syllables--summon a flood of thoughts and images and memories and ruminations.

— Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of thought

Noun

But finding one’s nerve means fighting the everyday vagaries of low self-esteem, depression, self-deception, insecurity, loss, never-ending grief, and narcissists.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
Use the same term in connection with the mental vagaries of a gladiatorial spectacle?

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of vagary

Noun

The sheer black fabric included embroidered botanical elements, adding a touch of whimsy to the restrained look.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
And for anyone who likes their coastal digs mostly white but not entirely without a little whimsy, the wallpaper might just seal the deal.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of whimsy

Noun

Bag designs were more polarized, with oversize silhouettes and revivals of heritage styles juxtaposed to fantasy minaudière designs, sculptural clutches and embellished mini bags displaying brands’ craftsmanship and doubling as objects of art.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Continue reading … LIZ PEEK — Two troubled Senate races could spoil Democrats' blue-wave fantasy.

— , FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of fantasy

Noun

If that isn’t enough to strike your fancy, Best Buy just put it on sale for $550 off.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
With so many cultivars available, your best bet is to browse the nursery or online catalogues to see what strikes your fancy.

— Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of fancy

Noun

More than half of people using AI at work worried that using it on important tasks would create exactly that impression.

— Christoph Trattner, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
Then again, the album’s 15-minute runtime presupposes a complete lasting impression isn’t the point.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of impression

Browse Nearby Words

whilst

whim

whimper

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“Whim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whim. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of whim

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