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

Inspired by real events, the show tells the story of legendary singer Omara Portuondo and an iconic band from their start in the 1950s through the 1990s, with the release of their cultural bookmark album of the same name in 1997. —Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026

At the Oscar ceremony on April 3, 1978, Fred Astaire, one of the most legendary stars in the history of music on film, presented the award for best original song. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2026

In 1913, Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes performed the premiere of The Rite of Spring, choreographed by its legendary star Vaslav Nijinsky and set to Stravinsky’s groundbreaking music. —Luis Palomares, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

When Stasevska expressed interest in trying it herself, she was referred to Jorma Panula, a legendary conductor and teacher in Finland. —Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026