FANCY Synonyms: 294 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fancy' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of fancy are conceive , envisage , envision , imagine , realize , and think . While all these words mean "to form an idea of," fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires. // fancied himself a super athlete

Q: When could 'conceive' be used to replace 'fancy'?

The words conceive and fancy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design. // conceived of a new marketing approach

Q: How do 'envisage' and 'envision' relate to one another, in the sense of 'fancy'?

Both envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed. // envisaged a totally computerized operation // envisioned a cure for the disease

Q: Where would 'imagine' be a reasonable alternative to 'fancy'?

The meanings of imagine and fancy largely overlap; however, imagine stresses a visualization. // imagine you're at the beach

Q: When would 'realize' be a good substitute for 'fancy'?

While the synonyms realize and fancy are close in meaning, realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined. // realized the enormity of the task ahead

Q: When can 'think' be used instead of 'fancy'?

In some situations, the words think and fancy are roughly equivalent. However, think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection. // I just thought of a good joke

fancy 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of fancy

as in excessive

going beyond a normal or acceptable limit in degree or amount decided they would rather go without dinner than pay the hotel restaurant's fancy prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in detailed

made or done with great care or with much detail we're having a little get-together after the concert—nothing fancy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fancy

2 of 3

noun

as in dream

a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality a writer with a prodigious talent for creating fancies that captivate readers young and old

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in whim

a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action is this a serious interest in music, or just your latest fancy that will be forgotten after a week?

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in liking

positive regard for something now that he's rich he's taken a fancy to expensive sports cars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imagination

the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others to fans of Lewis Carroll, the animal creations of his fertile fancy are as real as any creature to be found at the zoo

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fancy

3 of 3

verb

ˈfan(t)-sē

as in to imagine

to form a mental picture of try to fancy, if you can, our mother on an elephant when she was touring India

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to enjoy

to take pleasure in the teacher didn't fancy the idea of failing the student, even if he was the class clown

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fancy distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of fancy are conceive, envisage, envision, imagine, realize, and think. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

When could conceive be used to replace fancy?

The words conceive and fancy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

How do envisage and envision relate to one another, in the sense of fancy?

Both envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed.

envisaged a totally computerized operation

envisioned a cure for the disease

Where would imagine be a reasonable alternative to fancy?

The meanings of imagine and fancy largely overlap; however, imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When would realize be a good substitute for fancy?

While the synonyms realize and fancy are close in meaning, realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

When can think be used instead of fancy?

In some situations, the words think and fancy are roughly equivalent. However, think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection.

I just thought of a good joke

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 fancy

Adjective

For instance, a white DualSense tacks just $18 to your total, while one of the fancier colors, like sterling silver, adds $23. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 22 Oct. 2026 Thomas brings in his partner Lisa, who steals fancy clothes and gala passes for herself, Thomas, and Vision. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Noun

If a basket strikes your fancy, look no further than Widener and Company, a small business in Maine that specializes in antiques and handcraft. — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Blending clean lines with upholstered curves on the head and footboard, this bed frame will add a modern, slightly industrial touch to a bedroom if that suits your fancy. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026

Verb

Again, the Ducks pose a much tougher opponent than Memphis, but Tigers quarterback Marcus Stokes will fancy his chances throwing downfield, having already thrown for 411 yards this season. — Idaho Statesman, 8 Sep. 2026 Speaking of singing pirates, Curry clearly fancied these kinds of roles, signing on to play the villainous Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island (1996), Brian Henson’s musical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel. — ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fancy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancy

Adjective

According to a one-year analysis of data collected from San Francisco’s 33 camera locations and other traffic-sensing equipment, excessive speeding — more than 10 mph above the speed limit — dropped nearly 80%.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Brought by Koya’s estate and daughter Nathifa Wright, it’s being heard at Sacramento’s United States District Court and seeks damages for 17 claims, including false detention, excessive force and wrongful death.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

Adding to the bronze structure is a detailed blossom decoration featuring 925 sterling silver and 24K gold accents.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
After a detailed briefing with an ATI staff member, I was kitted out with a folder packed with maps, a Namibian cell phone pre-programmed with key contacts, and a first-aid kit.

— Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of detailed

Noun

Sequenced at the center of a three-track medley, its death-dream logic deliberately evokes the SMiLE era’s dark, confusing edge.

— Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
In a bucket hat and without a care in the world, Murray speaks kindly but candidly about making his buddy Coyne’s TV dream come true.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of dream

Noun

While mega oil and gas companies pay for some of the greatest intelligence in the world, even the world's greatest intelligence gatherers are subject to the whims of rogues with missile launchers.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
From here on out, the authorship of Tae-ju’s life is ambiguous, as well as constantly in flux, buffeted by the whims and suggestions of others, as well as by her own impulses.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of whim

Noun

Beige is a bit too basic for our liking, whereas camel brings cozy warmth and chic sophistication with its golden-brown undertones.

— InStyle, InStyle, 24 Oct. 2026
Anyone who’s had a game console and played Madden has arranged depth charts to their liking and made game-management decisions to feel like a head coach.

— Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of liking

Verb

Beirut City Pop, the latest compilation by archival label Habibi Funk, tells the story of the artists who dared to imagine a life beyond war.

— Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
For one thing, imagine an election campaign fought on populist policies such as raising welfare grants and public sector hiring sprees.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of imagine

Verb

Just a day earlier, he’d been spotted enjoying a pre-birthday dinner at Mamo in Manhattan, wrapped in a chestnut-brown fringed shawl that wouldn’t have looked out of place in Sienna Miller’s fall wardrobe.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
The Dolphins had run 293 offensive snaps and not enjoyed an advantage at any point in any of them.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of enjoy

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fanciness

fancy

fancy Dan

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Style

“Fancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancy. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fancy

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noun

verb

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Synonyms of fancy

adjective

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing fancy

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Cite this Entry

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