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 In prison, Molina uses his imagination to retreat into the comfort of his favorite movie, starring fictitious silver screen diva Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez, to get through the horrors of Argentina’s repressive regime. Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for fictitious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fictitious
Adjective
  • First, and perhaps most obvious, the fictional thriller draws inspiration from the Manson Family's home invasion and murder of Sharon Tate and her friends, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger and Wojciech Frykowski, as well as Steven Parent, who was visiting the home's caretaker.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The Heart of the Ocean may be fictional, but its legend feels real—modeled loosely on the Hope Diamond.
    Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Voyager 1's approximate position lies half way along the imaginary line connecting these two stellar giants.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Not all the scares and frights and bumps in the night are imaginary on Halloween.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Helen wants him for an off-the-books quest to find a possibly mythical object called the Seven Five Two, and an even more off-the-books quest to find answers about a formative childhood trauma involving the Talamasca.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Given the stakes for project proponents and opponents, and CEQA’s almost mythical status, the campaign for and against the measure could be one of the most contentious ballot battles in the state’s history.
    Dan Walters, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Fictitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fictitious. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fictitious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!