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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 In the meantime, the rest of the lineup, including last year’s fantastic new 18-year-old expression, is available at websites like ReserveBar. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 June 2025 Boston also benefitted from a fantastic bounce back performance by starting pitcher Lucas Giolito, as well as a towering solo home run by shortstop Trevor Story, who is continuing to trend up after a dreadful month of May. Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2025 Crossword puzzles offer a fantastic opportunity to engage your mind, enjoy leisure time, and test your knowledge simultaneously. Sally Hoelscher, USA Today, 9 June 2025 Overall, the whole Neuralink experience has been fantastic. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fantastic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fantastic
Adjective
  • The bizarre blackouts are first explained with a bizarre hit-and-run that shook Larkin months earlier.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 June 2025
  • To some, this may sound bizarre, laughable, or even just plain sad.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • The film takes place in 2020 — yes, that 2020 — in the most visceral way, with the anti-mask local sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) of the fictional Eddington, New Mexico, facing off against the town’s COVID-guideline-advocate mayor, played by Pedro Pascal (the second of his three summer releases).
    Rance Collins, IndieWire, 10 June 2025
  • Standing in for the Duke of Hastings’ fictional Clyvedon Castle in season one, this real-life Baroque masterpiece is located in North Yorkshire, England, and has been in the Howard family for more than three centuries.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • The incredible semblance of natural language fluency exhibited by the computational capabilities of contemporary LLMs seems to be a sure sign that the road ahead must lead to AGI/ASI.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • The incredible two on the par 5 was just the fourth albatross at the U.S. Open in recorded history and the first since 2012 when Nick Watney made one, according to Justin Ray.
    Troy Finnegan‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
Adjective
  • Tanja Caldwell designed the wonderful costumes for Mara Block Ali’s Netflix series, Forever.
    Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Though not a traditional kids’ movie by any stretch, there’s still a lot of wonderful Dignan-esque scheming involved in Mr. Fox (George Clooney) stealing from the adjoining farms of Boggis, Bunce, and Bean, and the film has the warmth of an old Rankin-Bass production.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Kitchen veteran Liliane is often the tart-yet-affectionate voice of reason when Antonin gets a little too fanciful for his culinary britches.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 11 June 2025
  • Leading up to the 2026 election, the Massachusetts Democratic Party must have a rigorous debate on the direction of our party, our Commonwealth and our country, rather than a fanciful debate on issues better suited for an academic environment.
    Scott W. Lang, Boston Herald, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Six Senses Milan, which will open early next year, is the most marvelous project.
    Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • America may be getting regulated into wan electroluminescence, but the marvelous Ms. Seltzer and her pack of canine companions will not go gentle, or dimly, into that good night.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Several heads of industry have toyed with creating an imaginary staff, embracing the self-mirroring feedback loop of their output as a plus.
    Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 17 June 2025
  • Answer: Minnesota Who was Riley’s childhood imaginary friend?
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • But that year does look a little anomalous on his career ledger, with more of an 80-point baseline (which, of course, is still excellent).
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 June 2025
  • With continued success from not only Tucker, but the entire Cubs lineup as a whole, Chicago has an excellent chance of making a deep postseason run toward the World Series.
    Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fantastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fantastic. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

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