apocryphal

Synonym Chooser

How is the word apocryphal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of apocryphal are fabulous, fictitious, legendary, and mythical. While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," 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

When is fabulous a more appropriate choice than apocryphal?

In some situations, the words fabulous and apocryphal are roughly equivalent. However, fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

When can fictitious be used instead of apocryphal?

The synonyms fictitious and apocryphal are sometimes interchangeable, but fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.

fictitious characters

Where would legendary be a reasonable alternative to apocryphal?

The words legendary and apocryphal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

In what contexts can mythical take the place of apocryphal?

The meanings of mythical and apocryphal largely overlap; however, mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.

mythical creatures

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 apocryphal Jeff Buckley’s mom is finally sharing the story of why an apocryphal biopic about her late son starring Brad Pitt never came to be. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025 On the internet of yore, there was an apocryphal story about Jerry Seinfeld supposedly giving advice to software developer and would-be comedian Brad Isaac. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 1 Jan. 2025 There’s also the apocryphal story of Willie Nelson smoking marijuana during a White House visit; Nelson revealed in Rock & Roll President that the toker was actually Carter’s son. Spin Staff, SPIN, 29 Dec. 2024 How Wisconsin's Sweet Take on the Old-Fashioned Elevated it to State Cocktail Status Thanks to its apocryphal beginnings and statewide brand loyalty, the brandy old-fashioned is the Badger State's go-to cocktail. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 19 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for apocryphal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apocryphal
Adjective
  • What was once speculative technology is now steadily reshaping patient care.
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • Funding and Sustainability Challenges Many DAOs rely on token inflation or speculative interest for funding, which can be volatile and unsustainable.
    Chrissa McFarlane, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Both games made changes to the core formula that longtime players didn't appreciate, such as an influx of unauthentic skins and a departure from the class system.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Its ability to accurately discern and promptly respond to unauthentic negative reviews allows businesses to maintain a legitimate, trustworthy online image.
    Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 26 July 2023
Adjective
  • The vice president also pitched a hypothetical scenario in which the U.S. went to war with a foreign adversary and whether parents would like the peace of mind that the weapons used by U.S. soldiers are made within the U.S. rather than another country.
    Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2025
  • Despite challenges like legacy data integration and security, digital twins promise significant operational advantages by making hypothetical scenarios feel immediate and actionable.
    Murugan Lakshmanan, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Federal prosecutors charged him with a single felony, of an undocumented immigrant possessing a gun.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • Writing to state legislators in 2011, Milliken defended a state law that was under attack for giving undocumented students in-state tuition.
    Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Listen to this article 5 min Pro wrestling greats Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff teamed up with legendary coach Izzy Martinez to launch Real American Freestyle in hopes of bringing the sport to a mainstream audience as its popularity continues to grow in the United States.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Agartha, which is big in the occultist canon, refers to the belief in a legendary society within the Earth’s core.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But to sacrifice Negan to The Dama in theoretical perpetuity?
    Charlie Mason, TVLine, 5 May 2025
  • And none of us could have imagined that our theoretical models would fit the data so well.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • However, a fanciful title charge would collapse in November and early December in a period where Spurs picked up one point from five league matches.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Glancing at goals specifically, catching Erling Haaland’s unprecedented 36 in one campaign looks fanciful.
    Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Chicago Bears, unofficial offseason champs more than once in recent years, could be pushing for another mythical crown.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • For the uninitiated, these mythical concepts, Vril and Agartha, both originate in books.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Apocryphal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apocryphal. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

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