figment

noun

fig·​ment ˈfig-mənt How to pronounce figment (audio)
Synonyms of figment
: something made up or contrived

Did you know?

A figment is something formed from imaginary elements. Daydreams are figments; nightmares are figments that can seem very real. Most figments are everyday fears and hopes about small things that turn out to be imaginary. But when the radio play "The War of the Worlds" aired in 1938, it caused a panic among thousands of people who didn't realize the Martian invasion was just a figment of the author's imagination.

Synonyms of figment

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Examples of figment in a Sentence

unable to find any tracks in the snow the next morning, I was forced to conclude that the shadowy figure had been a figment of my imagination thus far, the invisible human being has been nothing more than a figment of fantasy writers
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Even his beloved daughter exists as a figment of his imagination. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 In recent seasons, the Dark Cloud Defense has become a figment of the past for Rattler fans. — Gerald Thomas Iii, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 Your dry scratchy eyes also aren’t a figment of your imagination. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 22 July 2026 Pína and Hawk mysteriously slip out while Joe and Angela are in the kitchen, suggesting that the adventurous lovemakers may have just been figments of their imagination. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for figment

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "fable, deceitful practice," borrowed from Latin figmentum "thing formed, image, invention," from fig-, variant stem of fingere "to mold, fashion, make a likeness of, pretend to be" + -mentum -ment — more at feign

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of figment was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing figment

Rhymes for figment

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Browse Nearby Words

fig marigold
figment
fig mite
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Cite this Entry

“Figment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/figment. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

figment

noun
fig·​ment ˈfig-mənt How to pronounce figment (audio)
: something imagined or made up
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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