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 This is hardly new, and scream queens, in particular, are often left to the whims of the internet. — Mariam Bagdady, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for whim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whim

Noun

Such long-term investment is difficult to reconcile with the notion of an imminent military confrontation.

— Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The civic organization has questioned whether his scrutiny over its finances and a reverter clause in the youth center’s deed is politically motivated, a notion Lago denies.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of notion

Noun

Ye-ji has a hunky hedge-fund-type husband, Sang-woo (Zo In-sung), who condescendingly tolerates, but doesn’t finance, his wife’s cinematic caprices.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
But Gurdon doesn’t hold up the caprices and improvisations of her childhood as either a model or a cautionary tale.

— Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of caprice

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 syrupy strings, treacly piano and awed choral vocals conjure an atmosphere of strained enchantment, suggesting a film burdened by fatal amounts of whimsy and emotional manipulation.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The pastries are the highlight, while the lacquer music box presentation remains a memorable moment of whimsy.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of whimsy

Noun

The two of them crafted a business plan for a bookstore, one that wouldn’t look out of place in a sword and sorcery fantasy novel, with a hidden speakeasy.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
From this spirited competition emerged two progenitors of modern horror, science fiction, and fantasy.

— Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 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

What Zuckerberg hasn’t addressed directly, on the podcast or the earnings call, is whether agents will eat into the ad impressions that generate nearly all of Meta’s revenue today.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Vance left a positive impression on his RJC audience while stopping short of disavowing influential conservative podcast host Tucker Carlson.

— Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 20 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of whim

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