Synonyms of legendary

legendary

adjective

ˈle-jən-ˌder-ē 

as in mythical

based on, described in, or being a myth

the unicorn is a legendary creature

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mythical
• famed
• fabled
• mythological
• fabulous
• fictional
• storied
• fictitious
• invented
• imaginary
• romanticized
• chimerical
• fanciful
• fantastic
• unreal
• make-believe
• imagined
• fabricated
• allegorical
• pretend
• made-up
• semilegendary

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• actual
• real
• historical
• real-world
• true
• existent
• factual
• confirmed
• established
• authentic
• genuine
• real-life
• proven
• bona fide
• validated
• attested
• authenticated
• substantiated
• verified

Synonym Chooser

How is the word legendary distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of legendary are apocryphal, fabulous, fictitious, and mythical. While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

When would apocryphal be a good substitute for legendary?

In some situations, the words apocryphal and legendary are roughly equivalent. However, 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

In what contexts can fabulous take the place of legendary?

While the synonyms fabulous and legendary are close in meaning, fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

When might fictitious be a better fit than legendary?

While in some cases nearly identical to legendary, fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.

fictitious characters

When could mythical be used to replace legendary?

The synonyms mythical and legendary are sometimes interchangeable, but mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.

mythical creatures

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of legendary

Moreover, Beatty was more in the news that year for giving a rare, in-depth interview to AARP The Magazine, opening up about his legendary bachelor past. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 12 June 2026

Topline David Hockney, a legendary English painter known as a leading figure in the 1960s Pop Art movement, has died at the age of 88 after breaking auction records and building a massive fortune over his seven-decade career. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

The homemade soft-serve orange ice cream is legendary. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 June 2026

Hockney's publicist, Erica Bolton, confirmed the legendary painter and printmaker's death in an obiutary shared with USA TODAY on Friday, June 12. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 12 June 2026