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Synonym Chooser

How is the word fabulous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fabulous are apocryphal, fictitious, legendary, and mythical. While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

When is apocryphal a more appropriate choice than fabulous?

While the synonyms apocryphal and fabulous are close in meaning, apocryphal implies an unknown or dubious source or origin or may imply that the thing itself is dubious or inaccurate.

a book that repeats many apocryphal stories

Where would fictitious be a reasonable alternative to fabulous?

The words fictitious and fabulous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.

fictitious characters

When might legendary be a better fit than fabulous?

The meanings of legendary and fabulous largely overlap; however, legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

When could mythical be used to replace fabulous?

Although the words mythical and fabulous have much in common, mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.

mythical creatures

Examples 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 fabulous And Natalia is no stranger to a fabulous wardrobe piece. Toria Sheffield, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 With festive season in full swing, this fabulous footwear find will top off any of her looks with a fashion flare. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024 That kind, generous quality has showed up a lot at the very strong Second City revues (like the fabulous e.t.c. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 31 Oct. 2024 Heidi Klum as a red witch in 2004 This bold costume saw Klum donning an eye-popping mane of bright red hair, wearing vampire fangs and a fabulous hat, and, just for fun, sporting skeleton bones all over her body. Madeline Boardman, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fabulous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • In a testament to the power of libraries creating a sense of community through programs, a patron shared a wonderful anecdote recently with our youth services librarian, Melissa Burke.
    Barbara D. Hathaway, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • It’s got wonderful culture, interesting history, amazing attractions and businesses.
    Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Instead of continuing on to Pristine Camp, 14,800 feet high and the highlight of our trip, JSB was able to get my wife to the nearest hospital, provide an interpreter, and manage to get us to a lovely finca at a much lower altitude where my wife recovered in a beautiful setting.
    Kathleen Saxe, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • The Ravel makes several stops in idyllic medieval towns along the Rhône, including Avignon, Viviers, and Arles – the lovely Roman town where Vincent van Gogh created some of his most memorable work.
    James Rampton, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Global news platforms picked up on the backstory of this almost mythical character, one who certainly looked the part, with Chang’s flowing robes and beard, often with a pet gibbon trailing in his wake.
    Mathew Scott, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Its length combines with its silver skin and bright red scarlet fins to give it a mythical look.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The staff was so kind and welcoming, and the food was amazing.
    Spencer Whaley, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • It’s got wonderful culture, interesting history, amazing attractions and businesses.
    Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Everyone read a fictitious story about a school that was running out of water because its local aquifer was drying up.
    Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 9 Oct. 2024
  • To Kaplan, the onscreen romantic chemistry between the two fictitious lead characters, rival booksellers Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly, drew her attention.
    David Chiu, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The Beats Studio Pro headphones deliver premium sound quality, excellent noise cancellation, and a sleek, durable design.
    Juhi Wadia, PCMAG, 16 Nov. 2024
  • Later in the day, someone older or more experienced might have excellent advice for you.
    Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • There are a lot of big names on the bill, but the one that really jumps off the page is Marco Antonio Solis, the singer-songwriter who co-founded the legendary group Los Bukis back in the mid-’70s.
    Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Atlanta native and Crime Mob artist Lil Scrappy, legendary New Orleans bounce artist Big Freedia, as well as New Orleans rapper Mia X, Civil Rights attorney Lee Merritt, and musicians Cookie Nasty and Trae Crockett partnered with the Hip Hop Caucus to create a political cypher.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • And the exasperation goes from imaginary frustration to real annoyance.
    Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024
  • And through her mesmerizing filmmaking, Kapadia creates a world that didn’t seem possible — which, of course, reinforces how imaginary this new place might prove to be.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near fabulous

Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on fabulous

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