mythical

adjective

myth·​i·​cal ˈmi-thi-kəl How to pronounce mythical (audio)
variants or mythic
1
: based on or described in a myth especially as contrasted with history
2
usually mythical : existing only in the imagination : fictitious, imaginary
constructed a mythical all-star team
3
usually mythic : having qualities suitable to myth : legendary
the twilight of a mythic professional careerClayton Riley
mythically adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for mythical

fictitious, fabulous, legendary, mythical, apocryphal mean having the nature of something imagined or invented.

fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.

fictitious characters

fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.

mythical creatures

apocryphal implies an unknown or dubious source or origin or may imply that the thing itself is dubious or inaccurate.

a book that repeats many apocryphal stories

Examples of mythical in a Sentence

Hercules was a mythical hero who was half man and half god. gods fighting in a mythical battle in the sky The sportswriters picked a mythical all-star team. The benefits of the new policy proved to be mythical.
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 with the security, though, collectors and fans are able to get up close to items that may have previously seemed mythical. Larry Holder, New York Times, 21 June 2025 The electric Nebraska has become a mythical object for Springsteen fans over the years, and there’s been a lot of evidence suggesting the tapes do exist. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025 Having heard rumors of a mythical doctor (played with a chilling calm by Ralph Fiennes) who could possibly help, Spike sneaks off with her for a treacherous expedition to the mainland. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025 Tapping into both mythical and real fears regarding great white sharks – including an infamous set of shark attacks along the Jersey Shore in 1916 – Benchley’s 1974 novel became a bestseller. Jared Bahir Browsh, The Conversation, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for mythical

Word History

Etymology

mythical, from Late Latin mȳthicus "of myth, legendary" (borrowed from Greek mȳthikós, from mŷthos "utterance, tale, myth" + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1; mythic, borrowed from Late Latin mȳthicus

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mythical was in 1610

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Cite this Entry

“Mythical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mythical. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

mythical

adjective
myth·​i·​cal ˈmith-i-kəl How to pronounce mythical (audio)
variants or mythic
1
: based on, described in, or being a myth
Hercules is a mythical hero
2
: existing only in the imagination : imaginary
the author created a mythical town
mythically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on mythical

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