IMAGINAL Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

imaginal

adjective

i-ˈma-jə-nᵊl

Definition of imaginal

as in graphic

consisting of or relating to pictures after a desensitizing series of imaginal exposures to the feared object, the phobic person is then exposed to the actual object

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in imaginary

not real and existing only in the imagination the equator is merely an imaginal line

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 imaginal Peter [Merry] likes to use is that, when a caterpillar is becoming a butterfly, new ‘imaginal cells’ emerge. — Big Think, 7 Aug. 2025 With one technique, for example—called imaginal exposure—you might be asked to visualize the process of going to the airport, boarding the plane, and experiencing a bad bout of turbulence. — Angela Haupt, TIME, 10 May 2024 Then, from bundles of cells known as imaginal disks, a new body takes form. — Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginal

Adjective

Justin also dressed for the occasion, in an oversized graphic tee, basketball shorts, and SKYLRK boots.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
The two met before the actor underwent heart surgery in 2009, and Schneider, a graphic designer, reportedly helped nurse the star back to health following his procedure.

— Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of graphic

Adjective

Near the end of the story, Gardner pledges to kill his imaginary son to spare him war’s toll, but backs out upon his wish to be transformed into a noble soldier.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
The Argentinian prairie is adorned with imaginary houses, castles and theatres as the young girls construct spontaneous, invisible cities, stories and games in which Koberidze’s likewise unseen characters could live.

— Manahil Tahira, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of imaginary

Adjective

In 1981 a bold experiment in rock music began as MTV took the air and made music a visual as well as auditory experience.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Those don’t work without the pure visual storytelling beats of character emotion that Culpepper balances them with.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of visual

Adjective

Knott’s has transformed the 1978 Montezooma’s Revenge into a multi-launch coaster with an Aztec treasure hunter theme and a train designed to look like a mythical stone creature.

— Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2026
Yet when the latter is replaced by the abbreviation algol (Algorithmic Language), a whole other order of reference comes into view, involving celestial movements and mythic monstrosities.

— Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of mythical

Adjective

Simpson was identified by the occupants aboard Del Sol's boat through a photographic lineup, according to the affidavit.

— Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Launched in 1960, Project CORONA became the world’s first successful photographic reconnaissance satellite program.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of photographic

Adjective

Blending documentary and fictional elements, directors Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw pay homage to the remarkable and charming people whose zest for life shapes and preserves this unique region and its centuries-old culture.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
One is usually informational, and one is a fictional read for fun.

— Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of fictional

Adjective

These pictorial cards also capture scenes along the Fox River, as well as schools, churches, hotels, historic buildings, bridges, the railroad, events and celebrations.

— Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
It was coined in Japan in the 1990s for small pictorial symbols used in electronic messaging.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Definition of pictorial

Adjective

Final testing relied on fictitious data instead of the real records of millions of residents.

— Komal Goyal, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Schools received an email from a fictitious two-parent household with both a mother and father interested in enrolling a child.

— Kristy Buzard, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of fictitious

Browse Nearby Words

imaginably

imaginal

imaginary

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“Imaginal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginal. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of imaginal

adjective

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