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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

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 fabulous Trash Cans & Compost Bins Your home's trash cans and compost bins are fabulous areas to clean with bleach to kill all the bacteria that's lying around. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025 The local Italian specialty store, Rubino’s, supplied fabulous sack lunches and there were hot cocoa bombs for everyone. Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025 But Kurata did not only have one fabulous main character to dress: There were also 200 cult members to outfit. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025 These are very much your grandmother’s fabulous fur. Andrea Bossi, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fabulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fabulous
Adjective
  • Embracing different cultures: There is plenty of wonderful Mexican culture depicted throughout the film, from cooking traditional dishes to the vibrant atmosphere.
    Alex Vance, Parents, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Cherish these moments and know that your efforts to preserve their voices are a wonderful tribute to your relationships.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Plants produce lovely blue flowers (or white in some varieties) that attract pollinators and other beneficial insects.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Molly’s such a lovely person, just a great spirit and game to do what needs to be done and have fun.
    Jessica Wang, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This sends him on a high-stakes journey to find the mythical Last Wish, a fabled star that can restore his lost lives.
    Jane LaCroix, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Begins at noon April 13, Steinmetz Hall, free ‘The Last Firefly’: Naomi Iizuka’s play for young audiences combines Japanese fairy tales and folklore to tell the mythical tale of Boom, the son of Thunder, who must confront the forces of nature in a blend of magic, courage and wonder.
    Matthew J. Palm, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • To push attendance higher and garner more interest MLR needs to deliver an amazing product and Americans need to win.
    Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Keep shopping for even more amazing discounts on affordable luxury bags below.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Morgan & Morgan, the firm that puts up those annoying Philly billboards, was fined after one of their lawyers admitted to using an AI program that generated fictitious case citations in a legal filing.
    Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Putin cannot refuse a ceasefire, without losing the fictitious moral high ground.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That's an excellent question, what the perception is Elon Musk has.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
  • As one of the few Black doctors in Kansas City after the Civil Rights era, Carter established a family practice that provided excellent care to local residents.
    J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Dressed by her regular collaborator Azzedine Alaïa in a series of clingy, hooded ensembles, the legendary model-musician looked unlike any Bond girl that came before her, but spoke to the spirit of her era perhaps better than any other had.
    EW.com, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Deep in the heart of Crete, where myth intertwines with natural wonder, stands the legendary olive tree of Vouves.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • After the war, that technology, developed by a painfully pretentious guru named Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci), was sold to the public as a way of keeping them sedated and immersed in imaginary worlds.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
  • And now a question for a future newsletter: Do the kids in your life have imaginary friends?
    Anna North, Vox, 13 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fabulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fabulous. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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