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 Her portrayal of social customs appears almost fantastical in light of the transformation undergone by her protagonist. — Literary Hub, 1 July 2026 Other good deals to consider Walmart is offering a fantastic deal on Acer’s 27-inch 1440p QD-OLED gaming monitor. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 1 July 2026 Rancho Mirage also offers five-star resorts like the The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage and the Omni Rancho Las Palmas, fantastic dining, luxury and thrift shopping and world-class golf courses. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 The Frenchman has had a fantastic debut professional season, winning Fleche-Wallone, the Tour of the Basque Country, and taking second-place finishes at Strade Bianche and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 July 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
  • When this place is eventually gone — a phrase that feels truly bizarre given the environment this summer and the half-century preceding it — the lasting images will be the seas of red.
    — Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • Continue reading … 'DEEPLY WEIRD' — CNN panel's bizarre 'read as Jewish' comment about a senator draws fierce blowback.
    — , FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of bizarre
Adjective
  • The author, 42, wore a summery floral midi dress with delicate sleeves and a romantic sweetheart neckline.
    — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
  • The braids appear to be tied off with thin, white rope and have a romantic, lived-in, casual quality—though not too casual to seem irrefutably stylish at a Paris couture show.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 6 July 2026
Definition of romantic
Adjective
  • Aside from the fictional King Kong, who first appeared in a 1933 film atop the skyscraper, others in real life legally — and illegally — climbed the famous skyscraper.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • In honor of The Bear’s final season, Jono Pandolfi’s signature white and toasted clay dinnerware (featured in the fictional restaurant) is 15% off.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 July 2026
Definition of fictional
Adjective
  • In the 29th minute, Argentina sent a pass toward the net, and Messi beat the defense with an incredible first step.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 4 July 2026
  • Cape Verde came astonishingly close to taking defending champions Argentina all the way to penalties, eventually falling to a 3-2 extra-time defeat despite an incredible goal from full-back Sidny Lopes Cabral.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of incredible
Adjective
  • The animals, the cool weather and the wonderful people of this region made for a memorable trip.
    — Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Bat boxes are a wonderful addition to your yard for attracting bats and giving them a safe place to live.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 2 July 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • The 41-year-old is still an elite NBA player, which is still an absurd reality to consider.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • The thesis rests on a claim that would have sounded absurd a year ago.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of absurd
Adjective
  • According to Sink, managing exotic species is more challenging.
    — Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026
  • Researchers want to understand whether such exotic quantum proofs are necessary.
    — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 6 July 2026
Definition of exotic
Adjective
  • Hop aboard an imaginary Vespa, or perhaps a high-speed train eastward to the boot country, where not every meal comes blistering out of a brick oven or ladled from a bubbling pot.
    — Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026
  • Some rehearse using a bedpan — placing it in the right spot, cleaning out the imaginary contents.
    — Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 30 June 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 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fantastic

Nglish: Translation of fantastic for Spanish Speakers

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