apocryphal

Definition of apocryphalnext

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 As the — perhaps apocryphal — origin story goes, Pihl came up with the idea while gazing out of the window from her workshop bench. Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025 The book is apocryphal, a non-canonical text that deals with Jesus’ adolescence, something not found in the Bible. Barry Levitt, Time, 14 Nov. 2025 Magnolia is trying just that with The Carpenter’s Son, writer and director Lotfy Nathan’s life of teenage Jesus story based on The Infancy Gospel of Thomas, a obscure apocryphal gospel. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025 There’s an apocryphal anecdote about Hemingway being challenged to write a complete story, with all the emotional impact of one of his own short stories, in just six words. Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apocryphal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apocryphal
Adjective
  • In the absence of details about the timeframe or scope of the new files to be released, their contents, at this point, are purely speculative.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Christopher Anderson, the Department of Justice lawyer representing the EPA, argued that while the agency does discount future effects in weighing regulations, that practice is not discriminatory and any link to resulting climate harms is speculative.
    Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Moore said that no matter how famous a host or a guest is, or how elaborate and slick a production is, an unauthentic product will not resonate with audiences.
    Yahya Salem, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Inaccurate debunks Amid the recycled imagery, authentic pictures of National Guard members sleeping on the floor of a federal building in Los Angeles this week were falsely described as old or unauthentic.
    Emma Li, CBS News, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • Specifically, in the new study, the authors found that compared with previous estimates a hypothetical 1 meter of sea-level rise could put up to 37% more land below sea level, impacting 77–132 million people across the globe.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Polling throughout the winter had shown little difference between how the two Democrats performed in hypothetical matchups against likely Republican opponents, but some surveys suggested Talarico ran slightly stronger among independents.
    Nik Popli, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Lawmakers from both parties questioned her about a $220 million government advertising campaign encouraging undocumented immigrants to leave the United States voluntarily—a campaign that prominently featured Noem herself.
    Nik Popli, Time, 5 Mar. 2026
  • In the competitive districts, nearly two-thirds of voters disapprove of tactics by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in corralling undocumented immigrants.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Begel's contentious relationship with Bart Starr while the Hall of Famer coached the Green Bay Packers became legendary.
    Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The apocalypse Rosi presents is not just the legendary one that destroyed the ancient Roman town of the film’s title but an ongoing one that encompasses the calamities of our modern era as well as the rejuvenation that sometimes accompanies destruction.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The same gap exists across Office and Administrative roles—90% theoretical capability, a fraction of that actually in use.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Who could a theoretical player be in a deal?
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Tel Aviv, Israel — After a week of violence reconfiguring the Middle East, some US goals seem in reach, others perhaps fanciful.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Shortly after WarGames was screened at the White House in June 1983, Ronald Reagan asked during a national security meeting if this sort of fanciful idea was possible.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Sightings of mythical creatures in Rhode Island are far and few between these days, but a giant serpent that supposedly once lived in the woods of present-day Coventry is the subject of enduring local lore.
    Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Some figures raise their arms in poses that suggest bodybuilders or mythic heroes.
    Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Apocryphal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apocryphal. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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