Thesaurus results for WHIM

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

whim

noun

ˈ(h)wim

Definition of whim next

as in notion

a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action on a whim, we stopped at the roadside stand to get ice cream

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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Recent Examples of whim These actions also leave Kansas' 18,000 federal employees vulnerable to termination not for poor performance but simply due to political whims. —

Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 Where the last regime kowtowed to Rodgers’ every whim, Glenn and Mougey are leaving it up to interpretation. —

Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 28 Jan. 2025 Now the American public is at the whims of the administration’s promises. —

Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025 Logging and development projects are at the whim of market pressures and politics. —

Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for whim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whim

Noun

As Kerekes explained to me, karma isn’t simply the notion of retribution or some one-to-one exchange of good or bad.

— Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 17 Feb. 2025
The image of monkey god Hanuman, representing wisdom, strength, courage, devotion and self-discipline, is prominently placed in the series, which pits Western notions of wealth and materialism against Buddhist concepts of selflessness and spirituality.

— Jordan Riefe, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2025