1
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
2
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
1
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
2
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
3
as in liking
positive regard for something
now that he's rich he's taken a fancy to expensive sports cars
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
2
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of fancy
Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The fancy men are very rude to Tristan, which is terrible manners and therefore very UN-fancy, but Charlotte likes him.
—Alice Burton, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2026
Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
If beachcombing or tide pooling strikes your fancy, there’s a set of Helly Hansen raincoats, waterproof pants, and umbrellas in the closet.
—Jennie Nunn, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
After he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War, Mason urged Michael to flee to Mexico, but Michael did not fancy himself a draft dodger.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fancy
Adjective
López had the fanciest entrance of the evening.
—Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
The fancy men are very rude to Tristan, which is terrible manners and therefore very UN-fancy, but Charlotte likes him.
—Alice Burton, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
The formula also includes Persian silk tree extract, a fancy-sounding ingredient that speeds up your skin’s healing process, resulting in a brighter, fresher complexion.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
If beachcombing or tide pooling strikes your fancy, there’s a set of Helly Hansen raincoats, waterproof pants, and umbrellas in the closet.
—Jennie Nunn, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
Some have fancied themselves an island chanteuse (Wanda Shirk on Palau).
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
After he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War, Mason urged Michael to flee to Mexico, but Michael did not fancy himself a draft dodger.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fancy
Adjective
-
Although the Bobcats scored more points in the paint, their inability to stop the Eagles' forward on the interior led to excessive fouling.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Critics say it was often used to justify excessive force by police.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Matchmakers create detailed profiles of their clients and prospective matches, including information about their dealbreakers and preferences and religious and political ideologies.—
Lauren Fichten,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Officials plan to introduce baseline rules by 2027, with more than 300 detailed standards expected by 2030.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Being cheated on or in an abusive relationship can leave a deep imprint on one’s psyche and lead to an ex appearing in dreams.—
Lisa Wong Macabasco,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
-
What initially appears to be a Marxist dream state soon reveals itself as a system maintained through algorithmic control and absolute surveillance.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Airports were named for geographical locations, not to satisfy political whims.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
There are still many in this country who value truth, who believe that history should be preserved and not erased, who understand that constitutional rights should not be swept away to suit the whims of a megalomaniac, and who refuse to wallow in ignorance and hate.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Exaggerated Shapes Swabb is ready to move on from curved furniture and scalloped details galore, finding these styles to be a bit overused for her liking.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The other, Damari, the middle child, has taken a liking for a different team.—
Sam McDowell
February 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
We are limited only by our imagination as to the best use of this wonderful site.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
We are then limited only by our own imagination and ability to create.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Her bodice-ripping, visually sumptuous version, in theaters Friday, incorporates some essential literary elements, but also imagines what’s in between the lines of Brontë’s writing, including sultry moments between the protagonists.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
From the kitchen comes an equally elegant menu of classics – think gorgeous local steaks, terrines and roasted Amish chicken plated with cockles – imagined with creativity and a deep understanding of European technique seen through a Tennessee lens.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Purists should go into it expecting not a faithful adaptation, but a romp best enjoyed as romantasy fanfic.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Physically and socially active, the Madisons still enjoy going on dates, sharing meals with friends, attending concerts and monthly visits to senior center across Henry County.—
Yolanda Harris,
AJC.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fancy. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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