fantastic
2 antonyms and opposites of fantastic, grouped by meaning.
Adjective — Extremely good; wonderful.
Antonyms
How to use fantastic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Late Latin phantasticus, "imaginary," ultimately from Ancient Greek phantasia, "imagination."
Full origin of fantastic →Frequently asked questions
What does “fantastic” mean?
The word “fantastic” means extremely good; wonderful. In plain terms, either "excellent" (the common everyday use) or "unbelievable, almost like a fantasy" (the older, more literal use).
How do you pronounce “fantastic”?
“Fantastic” is pronounced fan-TAS-tihk (/fænˈtæs.tɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “fantastic” in a sentence?
Here is “fantastic” used in a sentence: “We had a fantastic time at the concert.”
What is another word for “fantastic”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fantastic” include absurd, crazy, foolish, nonsensical, unreal and preposterous.
What is the opposite of “fantastic”?
The opposite of “fantastic” — its antonyms — are reasonable and realistic.
What part of speech is “fantastic”?
“Fantastic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “fantastic” come from?
The word “fantastic” comes from Ancient Greek. From Late Latin phantasticus, "imaginary," ultimately from Ancient Greek phantasia, "imagination.".
Is “fantastic” a common word?
“Fantastic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between fantastic and fantastical?
In everyday use, fantastic means extremely good or wonderful — 'a fantastic meal.' Fantastical means imaginative, fanciful, or belonging to fantasy — 'fantastical creatures.' Fantastic once shared that sense of the unreal, but today it mainly expresses enthusiasm and praise, while fantastical keeps the meaning of strange or made-up.
Is fantastic a formal or informal word?
Fantastic is informal and conversational, used freely in speech and casual writing to show enthusiasm. In formal or academic writing, precise words like excellent, outstanding, or highly effective are usually preferred. There is nothing wrong with fantastic; it simply carries an upbeat, everyday tone rather than a measured, formal one.
What is the opposite of fantastic?
The opposites are strongly negative words such as terrible, awful, dreadful, and horrible. Milder contrasts include poor, mediocre, or disappointing. Because fantastic sits at the top end of praise, its truest antonyms are equally extreme expressions of disapproval rather than simply 'bad.'
Is fantastic stronger than good?
Yes. Good is a mild, general approval, while fantastic is emphatic, meaning extremely good or wonderful. It sits alongside words like amazing, superb, and brilliant near the top of the scale. Saying something is fantastic shows real enthusiasm, well beyond simply calling it good or fine.