chimerical

Also chi·mer·ic

[ki-mer-i-kuhl, -meer-, kahy-]

adjective

1. unreal; imaginary; visionary.

   a chimerical terrestrial paradise.

   Synonyms: fantastic, illusory
   Antonyms: real

2. wildly fanciful; highly unrealistic.

   a chimerical plan.

chimerical

/ kɪ-, kaɪˈmɛrɪkəl, kaɪˈmɛrɪk /

adjective

1. wildly fanciful; imaginary

2. given to or indulging in fantasies

Other Word Forms

• chimerically adverb
• chimericalness noun
• nonchimeric adjective
• nonchimerical adjective
• nonchimerically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of chimerical¹

First recorded in 1630–40; chimer(a) + -ical

Example Sentences

Bessent’s statement about the millions of “illegal aliens” coming out of the workforce is especially chimerical.

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Projections of economic gains from major sporting events are typically optimistic, euphoric, chimerical or conjectural.

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Sharply vivid rather than suggestively chimerical, the scenes and dances had a trim, finely honed character.

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Claims made for the abilities or perils of AI chatbots have often turned out to be mistaken or chimerical.

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Which is to say, this was a precious, anticipated, frankly anxious affair — the materialization of a beloved and mercurial performer moving from the chimerical to the literal.

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