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 Supervisors Janet Nguyen and Don Wagner raised concerns at the board’s Tuesday meeting about fictitious registrations following recent news of a dog that was registered to vote in two recent state elections and a lawsuit by the federal government over noncitizen voter records. Claire Wang, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025 Moore plays the fictitious Barbara Gucci, head of Gucci International and chairman of California — an undercurrent of humor runs throughout the film. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025 In January, Moscow cut off the gas deliveries that had long powered Moldova’s electricity generation, using as an excuse a fictitious debt to its Gazprom state energy company. Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025 Tyriq Withers stars as Cameron Cade, a disciplined athlete who has a shot at playing in a fictitious national league that absolutely is not the NFL. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fictitious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fictitious
Adjective
  • Then again, even the fictional boarding school for witches and wizards in the Harry Potter series did not have a production line like Barcelona’s academy.
    Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The real John Laroche attended, as well as the fictional one, who was played by Chris Cooper (who later won an Oscar for his portrayal).
    Susan Orlean, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Now draw an imaginary line diagonally through the Dipper's bowl from Dubhe (the upper right star in the bowl) down through Phecda (the lower left star in the bowl) and extend that line downward about twice the distance between those two stars and that will bring you to the vicinity of Cor Caroli.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • While their mother is not in the picture, Judy seeks guidance from her boss, Alyson (Megan Mullally), and her imaginary friend, Alanis Morissette (voicing herself), who appears to her in the Northern Lights.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Last year, moments included a violinist perched 15 feet in the air with a cascading 20-foot dress, a crew of mythic horsehead creatures, the Raven, the Jester, Cersei, and Arachnea.
    Jenny Adams, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
  • His return to offense was almost mythic.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fictitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fictitious. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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