Synonym Chooser

How is the word fictitious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fictitious are apocryphal, fabulous, legendary, and mythical. While all these words 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

When would apocryphal be a good substitute for fictitious?

The words apocryphal and fictitious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Where would fabulous be a reasonable alternative to fictitious?

The synonyms fabulous and fictitious are sometimes interchangeable, but fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

In what contexts can legendary take the place of fictitious?

Although the words legendary and fictitious have much in common, legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

When can mythical be used instead of fictitious?

While in some cases nearly identical to fictitious, 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 fictitious Netflix India original Saare Jahan Se Accha is about fictitious spies from around the world - India, Pakistan, America and Russia. Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 The association that Fuller makes with an entirely fictitious racial group—Indo-European for many racists both inside and outside the fascist movement, and more specifically Indo-German for some Nazis—only occurred later. Stewart Home august 22, Literary Hub, 22 Aug. 2025 Among the fictitious board were Taylor’s housekeeper and a bartender. Michael Loria, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025 On opening night at the start of the second act, even director Ellenstein got fingered out as fictitious bar manager Billy Joe Walker. Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fictitious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fictitious
Adjective
  • Jessica Simpson, Ashlee Simpson, and Ciara, along with Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters stars EJAE, REI AMI and Audrey Nuna, who make up the fictional group Huntr/x will serve as presenters throughout the evening.
    Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Binge the autumn episodes or watch the whole thing again for the millionth time to enjoy a fictional fall getaway.
    Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Steve Young lifts his arm, holding an imaginary football, preparing to throw.
    Seth Wickersham, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Moreover, her five-letter titles refer to satellite navigation waypoints and fixes for aircraft flying in clouds or at night, that offer passage to imaginary locations defined by the interception of magnetic vectors drawn from the earth’s poles.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Over at Metropolitan State University, the on-campus gallery is presenting works from five Twin Cities Latino artists working across paintings, puppetry, photography and more focused on bestiarios, or fantastical, mythical beasts.
    Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Renewal Through Setback Erik Marthon Olsen of Laerdal Invest chose the phoenix, the mythical bird that rises from its own ashes.
    Francois Botha, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fictitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fictitious. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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