CHIMERICAL Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'chimerical' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of chimerical are fanciful , fantastic , imaginary , quixotic , and visionary . While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic . // chimerical dreams of future progress

Q: In what contexts can 'fanciful' take the place of 'chimerical'?

The synonyms fanciful and chimerical are sometimes interchangeable, but fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination. // a teller of fanciful stories

Q: When is it sensible to use 'fantastic' instead of 'chimerical'?

The words fantastic and chimerical can be used in similar contexts, but fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief. // a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

Q: When can 'imaginary' be used instead of 'chimerical'?

The words imaginary and chimerical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination. // an imaginary desert isle

Q: Where would 'quixotic' be a reasonable alternative to 'chimerical'?

While the synonyms quixotic and chimerical are close in meaning, quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense. // a quixotic crusade

Q: When might 'visionary' be a better fit than 'chimerical'?

While in some cases nearly identical to chimerical , visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization. // visionary schemes

chimerical

adjective

kī-ˈmer-i-kəl

variants also chimeric

Definition of chimerical next

as in fantastical

not real and existing only in the imagination for the time being, interplanetary travel remains a chimerical feature of life in the 21st century

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective chimerical contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of chimerical are fanciful, fantastic, imaginary, quixotic, and visionary. While all these words mean "unreal or unbelievable," chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic.

chimerical dreams of future progress

In what contexts can fanciful take the place of chimerical?

The synonyms fanciful and chimerical are sometimes interchangeable, but fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination.

a teller of fanciful stories

When is it sensible to use fantastic instead of chimerical?

The words fantastic and chimerical can be used in similar contexts, but fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief.

a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

When can imaginary be used instead of chimerical?

The words imaginary and chimerical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination.

an imaginary desert isle

Where would quixotic be a reasonable alternative to chimerical?

While the synonyms quixotic and chimerical are close in meaning, quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense.

a quixotic crusade

When might visionary be a better fit than chimerical?

While in some cases nearly identical to chimerical, visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization.

visionary schemes

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 chimerical Claims made for the abilities or perils of AI chatbots have often turned out to be mistaken or chimerical. —

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2023 Two instances in recent culture capture the uncertainty of our present moment, forcing us to reconsider the locus of the chimerical enemy. —

Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2023 Advertisement Concerns escalated when public records requests from the nonprofit news organization the Intercept revealed some of the chimeric viruses showed unexpected growth. —

Byjocelyn Kaiser, science.org, 8 May 2023 Masculine chunky chains are adorned with the house’s signature tiger head, and Gucci’s chimeric tiger-snake wraps around the wrist, crowned with a yellow sapphire. —

Sarah Royce-Greensill, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for chimerical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chimerical

Adjective

One day, all of these mascots will seem as laughable — and as bigoted — as my mythical rabbi for the Brooklyn Jews.

— Jonathan Zimmerman, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025
Its friezes depict a procession of gods, warriors, and mythical animals; its metopes, single panels within the larger frieze, narrate mythological battles of the Athenians against the Amazonians and the Centaurs, alluding to the Greco-Persian wars.

— Ralph Leonard, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025