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

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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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

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 whim Janse uses no-till farming on his fields — not plowing the soil, planting crops to cover the ground year-round and adding organic matter — to help cope with the whims of the weather as climate change triggers more extremes. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 The question is whether that dash is written intentionally or at the whims of the universe. — Catherine Bell, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Such temperatures also ground firefighting aircraft, leaving cities, towns and forests even more vulnerable to a wildfire’s whims. — John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026 If the project seems somewhat convoluted and unnecessarily complex, Dreier has emphasized that’s in part because the US space program has been subject to budget uncertainties and the shifting whims of presidential administrations. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whim

Noun

None of these ideas were invented by Instagram or by women alone; the concept of the attention economy dates to the early 1970s, and the notion that no press is bad press has existed since the 19th century.

— Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
What’s most difficult about this is the notion it was never supposed to be this way.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of notion

Noun

However, the success of these provisions will depend on the caprice of local politics.

— Christopher Calton, Oc Register, 29 June 2026
But statistics fail to convey the humanity of yard sales—the caprice, whimsy, and high spirits, as well as the cunning, weirdness, and heartbreak, that charge and thicken the air when two people agree to perform an off-the-books monetary transaction.

— Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026

Definition of caprice

Noun

In both cases, there is something at once magisterial and leadenly self-regarding about the melancholic rhythms of Cusk’s prose, with its stiff and stately syntax and its utter impatience with the real vagaries of difference.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Some of the long time lag reflected the vagaries and limitations of travel in the mid-19th century, when moving family, servants, and belongings via horse and buggy in the winter months made a longer period necessary.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of vagary

Noun

The furniture and decor for your little one leans into that fleeting window of imagination, bringing color, whimsy, and playfulness to make their room feel unmistakably theirs.

— Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 31 Aug. 2026
Let the bag take center stage by pairing it with understated separates, or lean into the whimsy with equally feminine details.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of whimsy

Noun

The initial offering will include more than 200 titles across popular genres including romance, billionaire romance, fantasy and family drama, with a wide selection of titles available with Indonesian dubbing and subtitles.

— Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
The catalog spans genres such as fantasy, family drama, romance and billionaire romance, told in episodes running 60-90 seconds.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of fantasy

Noun

Some singers need just one name to leave a lasting impression.

— Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
The lobby makes a bold first impression with double-height ceilings, pops of pink and green, statement-making couches, and the sounds of Cuban and Spanish music setting the tone.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of impression

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whilst

whim

whimper

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“Whim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whim. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of whim

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