Death is a chimera: because while I exist, death does not exist; and when there is death, I no longer exist.
Source: tatoeba (6132158)
Chimera
/kaɪˈmɪɹə/
Synonyms for "chimera" (98 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (20)
Strong matches (29)
dreamlanddreamworldeidolonfalse belieffancyfantasquefantasyfictionfigmentfigment of the imaginationfreakgolden dreamhallucinationharpyidle fancyignis fatuusillusionimageryimaginationimagining
Show 1 more word
insubstantial image
Related words (49)
inventionloch ness monstermaggotmake believemake-believemedusamisbeliefmisconceptionmosaicmythmythical monstersogrephantasmphantompipepipe dreampomatopotomatoquixotic idealrainbow
Show 21 more words
romanceself-deceitself-deceptionself-delusionsick fancystretch of the imaginationthick-coming fanciestopatotricktriptrollunicornunreal hopeutopiavaporvisionwhimwhimsywildest dreamwildest dreamswrong impression
Noun(8 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: airy hope, airy nothing, apparition, autism, biological chimera.
- Sentence evidence is available for chimera, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "chimera".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "chimera"
Keep "chimera" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "chimera" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "chimera", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "chimera" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
13 entriesMore specific
12 entrieschimeric proteinchimeric receptorchimeric virusfantasy scenariogermline chimeragoat bodygrandiose schemeillusory projectlion headserpent tailsomatic chimerawishful fantasy
Collocations
6 entrieschimeric proteinfusion genegenetic chimeragermline chimeramythical chimerasomatic chimera
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
1 entriesSample sentences
23 total sentences available.
Genetic testing revealed that the man was a chimera, having 2 different sets of DNA in different parts of his body.
Source: tatoeba (10614271)
Sometimes I found myself doubting whether it was not all some dream or some strange chimera of my unbalanced brain.
Source: tatoeba (11937818)
...beestis clepid chymeres, that han a part of ech beest, and suche ben not, no but oonly in opynyoun...
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 23 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "chimera"?
Closest matches include airy hope, airy nothing, apparition, autism, biological chimera.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "chimera"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.