Synonym Chooser

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 Under Trump, those whims have proved more brazen, brutal and destructive than the nation has ever seen. Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025 People were a bit allergic to the new direction last time, but a sonic U-turn is a concession, a place where pragmatism does outweigh whim. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 27 June 2025 What visitors may overlook is the painstaking upkeep that goes into these folk art statues that are exposed to Mother Nature’s whims and Father Time’s unrelenting wear and tear. Paul Nicolaus, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2025 Smuggling opium at the whim of a mercurial drug kingpin (Topher Grace). Max Gao, IndieWire, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for whim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whim
Noun
  • The franchise’s purchase by Disney in 2012 likely subconsciously reinforced the notion that Star Wars is popcorn, family entertainment, not the meaty material that wins acting awards.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 July 2025
  • Cue a slapdash kidnapping and a quest to verify his identity prior to burying him alive, which brings together a rag-tag gang—a bookshop owner, a photographer, her ex, and a bride-to-be—all of whom suffered at the same man’s hands and have their own notions of justice.
    Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • The caprice of the wind was the only reason there was evidence to recover in the first place.
    Henry Leutwyler Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 20 May 2025
  • Trump ran as a populist, but his actions in office have built a new élite shaped by his personal preference and caprice.
    Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 28 July 2025
  • And maybe, this line of thought continued, the Islamic Republic of Iran—its main clients hobbled, its economy failing, and its theocratic leadership losing support—would finally cut a nuclear deal with the United States, or implode altogether.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • Vape shops have spread across the American retail landscape with a bizarre swiftness, seemingly unbeholden to the same vagaries of inflation, customer demand, and local real estate that bind every other kind of storefront small business in the country.
    Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 22 June 2023
  • Third, repeaters should prove capable of swapping this data between nodes in a network in a predictable way and not one too subject to the vagaries of chance.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 13 June 2023
Noun
  • That’s great for the team, but not fantasy managers.
    KC Joyner, New York Times, 23 July 2025
  • Even Game of Thrones, arguably the most successful fantasy/genre series in Emmys history, can only credit 32 of its 164 Emmy nominations across eight seasons to acting categories (and eight of them were for Peter Dinklage).
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • Throughout the soft pink shade of the dress were silver sparkling elements that added a touch of whimsy and a princess-like sensibility to the ensemble.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 July 2025
  • The drama has a touch of whimsy mixed among the horrors of the slave trade — a dirigible, a pirate ship and an octupus figure prominently — but the story is rooted in how Wash is able to remain uplifted despite the world’s attempts to bring him down.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • Rose gold, an alloy of yellow gold and copper, offers a daybreak-like blush that flatters every skin tone and fancy, and the metal has become a mainstay for crafting such accessories as watches, pens, and jewelry.
    Nancy Olson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • If none of those strike my fancy, the fritter burger made with corn muffin fritter, blueberry and habanero preserves and bacon fat guac is my fallback plan.
    Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Whim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whim. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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