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

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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 The book follows the SKIMs billionaire in various stages of her fabulous life. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 Jewel adornment — fabulous at Saint Laurent, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 The property is debuting as a member of Leading Hotels of the World, ushering in a new era of luxury for the area, and proving that, yes, chic and fabulous things can happen on either side of the Intracoastal. — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026 Whatever is next to come, with now both an Airwrap and hit album in tow, Day’s next moves are sure to look and sound fabulous. — Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fabulous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous

Adjective

In a new memoir, the legendary reporter names a parade of confidential sources who enabled monumental scoops in The Washington Post and his blockbuster books.

— Craig Whitlock, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
Marathon is also the next game from Bungie, the makers of the legendary shooters Halo and Destiny (two franchises that, ironically, the COD publisher Activision has its tendrils in).

— Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of legendary

Adjective

An itinerary of hikes, wine tastings, and a sunset cruise offering incredible views of the Santa Barbara coastline is a wonderful way to end the day, while a cozy house with a garden will add to everyone’s enjoyment.

— Vogue, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
The improbable evening turned into a moving tribute to both Capra himself and his tale of the suicidal banker George Bailey, who comes to realize that his life has indeed been wonderful.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

The latest season, currently being aired, depicts a fictional Chinese intelligence agency capturing and torturing some of the Japanese spies.

— Reuters, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
To make the investigation personal, Ashton is using the cheerleaders’ photos as suspect pictures, while co-captain Mackenzie has supplied fun facts for their fictional police statements.

— Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of fictional

Adjective

Montserrat Collection Residence Set within a 1930s French-style building, this lovely home features contemporary Argentine art and mid-century design.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
But Mi-ok is game to be interviewed, and her words spring to life in wistfully lovely flashbacks.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of lovely

Adjective

Basquiat himself was the star of Downtown 81, playing a mythic version of himself.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
In their utopian reconstruction of a mythic past, the Agrarians’ polemics failed to mention the South’s legacies of slavery and rebellion.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of mythical

Adjective

The book used an imaginary dialogue between two women to explain the principles of economics, collecting the ideas of the new science together in a way that had never before been attempted.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Bill Irwin isn’t going anywhere — knock on all available wood — except quickly to the imaginary bathroom just off stage right several times a night as his character’s regimen of enemas kicks in.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of imaginary

Adjective

His 28-yard touchdown reception from Sam Darnold late in the second quarter beat Delane, who had excellent position.

— Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
The biggest key for the Brewers in this game is to see if their bullpen can keep their excellent pitching alive.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of excellent

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“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fabulous

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