1
as in dreams
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in whims
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
3
as in likings
positive regard for something
now that he's rich he's taken a fancy to expensive sports cars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in imagines
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
2
as in enjoys
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
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 fancies
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2025
At least there were idealists who dreamed such fancies, and their dreams were the pretext for creating this nation.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
But the Browns, with a 40-year-old quarterback, four offensive linemen signed only for this season and a defense that carries and fancies itself as one of the league’s best, know what things are supposed to look like and what the roadmap to success — even temporary success — has to be.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 13 Dec. 2025
Noun
While Maluma never called this swanky condo home, the 31-year-old singer and rapper appreciates plenty of other high-end fancies.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2025
At least there were idealists who dreamed such fancies, and their dreams were the pretext for creating this nation.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
But the Browns, with a 40-year-old quarterback, four offensive linemen signed only for this season and a defense that carries and fancies itself as one of the league’s best, know what things are supposed to look like and what the roadmap to success — even temporary success — has to be.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Gronk makes his game prediction Boise State may be coming into Saturday’s game as an underdog by over a touchdown, but Gronkowski fancies the Broncos’ chances.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 13 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancies
Noun
-
Jake LaRavia was destined to play for the LA Lakers, the team of his father's youth, closing a family loop of boyhood dreams and untimely death, Gregg Doyel writes.—
Joe Mutascio,
IndyStar,
10 Feb. 2026
-
After 50 years of helping skaters achieve their dreams, the man who was always behind the scenes got to live his.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
With eight expiring contracts on their books, they were bound to see this volume of turnover — either under their control at the deadline or at the whims of players over the summer.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The island nation, vulnerable to the whims of the Atlantic, has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Danish firm Wavepiston to turn those crashing swells into a 50 MW power source.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Set inside the world’s most popular video game, the film imagines a next-gen AI system that allows in-game characters to become sentient, shifting the game from entertainment into a living universe that awakens, evolves and begins interacting with human beings.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
In The Unknown, Cale has arranged a series of deft, destabilizing plot turns about the stalker who Elliott imagines is tracking him.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In his free time, Jonathan enjoys coaching youth basketball, trying new restaurants and hanging with friends.—
Jonathan M. Alexander,
Houston Chronicle,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Marie enjoys going out to eat and has a particular love for Chinese food, sushi, and Haitian cuisine.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
My very specific fantasies about the Iran of the future are my way of keeping the political imagination alive and open.—
Arash Azizi,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
-
There is no shortage of opportunities for children, particularly Black and brown ones, to be disabused of their fantasies.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Bomi, 23, who entered seeking his first boyfriend, found his idealized notions challenged.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Will Liz’s romantic notions help her win Michael or Wes?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner, as a powerhouse couple, that fall more in step with the likes of Hailey and Justin Bieber’s individual style statements than, say, Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet’s joint method dressing.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
-
RynnBrain now puts Alibaba in competition with the likes of Nvidia and Google which are developing their own AI models for robots.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Amutah-Onukagha envisions a world that improves health care for Black women, who have historically been underserved, throughout their lifespans.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Netflix envisions $2-$3 billion but Willems reiterated the savings would come mostly off licensing and other areas.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fancies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancies. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
