legends

plural of legend
1
as in tables
an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart the legend indicated that a large circle represented a major city, while a small circle stood for a small town

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2
as in captions
an explanation or description accompanying a pictorial illustration the legend in the science textbook indicated that the accompanying picture had been enlarged by 1000%

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3
as in myths
a traditional but unfounded story that gives the reason for a current custom, belief, or fact of nature some ancient civilizations had legends about spirits that inhabited trees and rocks

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4
as in mythologies
the body of customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings associated with a people, thing, or place that story of how the world came to be has long been part of Native American legend

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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 legends Across Georgia, history, folklore and local legends linger in unexpected places. — Eli Goodstein, AJC.com, 29 Oct. 2026 In any case, the Yankees have been criticized a decent amount since their elimination by executives, media, and even their own legends. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 Importantly, myths and legends are not simply false narratives. — Jeffrey Tolbert, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026 Both legends have now left Spain, and new stars have emerged. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026 Having worked with fellow Hollywood legends like David Lynch, Martin Scorsese, and Francis Ford Coppola over his 60-year career, his commanding yet quiet presence was a big-screen staple until his death in 2017. — Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2026 Knight is one of several aging music legends who have recently been the center of concerned conversation after on-stage appearances. — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026 After admiring Lakers legends, Kessler can now be mentioned in the same breath. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 On hand to toast the birthday girl with Sonrisa Puerto Rican Rum spicy margaritas were Lemigova’s costars Marysol Patton, Alexia Nepola and Kiki Barth, along with fellow legends of the sport Chris Evert, Rosemary Casals and Gigi Fernandez. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legends
Noun
  • On the main floor, there are several high-top tables, but seating doesn’t steal too much space in case anyone wants to line dance.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026
  • For those in-between moments, Coa&Co Café opens onto a sprawling lounge with communal tables and couches.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • That’s the case for other AI features like live captions during FaceTime calls, as well.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Kate often shares photos of herself, Rory and their daughter — usually along with cute captions and musings about motherhood.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Also intertwined are ancient myths of warring city-states, the raw, moody poetry of John Keats, and the modern battle between a faithless husband and his wife, the poem’s raging speaker.
    — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
  • But Brigid also appears throughout the early Irish myths as a member of the aes sidhe.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • What impact did her decision to (arguably) curve Drake’s kiss attempt when presenting her the award have on both of their mythologies?
    — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Both of these tales were derived from the folk legends and mythologies involving witches and ghosts that were still prevalent along the Hudson Valley.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • There was the woman on the sixth floor, who often forgot her keys and would press our buzzer to get Dad to go out and open the door for her.
    — Souvankham Thammavongsa, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • There are full-size Backspace, Delete, and arrow keys, in addition to a number pad and a separate row of volume controls.
    — Marshall Honorof, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Short translations and essays have appeared in Two Lines Journal, Berlin Quarterly, Los Angeles Review of Books, FENCE, and elsewhere.
    — Léo Keler, The Dial, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Among his latest publications are articles on the ancient Greek novel, translations of Korean and Indonesian fiction, including Intan Paramaditha’s Apple and Knife, and an analysis of contemporary short stories in North Korea.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • From Roma to All Quiet on the Western Front, Netflix has a long history of successfully campaigning for non-English language historical fables—but can this be the studio’s first movie to scoop the top prize?
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Few eras of Greek history compare to the ancient times that the country has become so synonymous with—the cinematic fables of Odysseus, comic-book lore of Leonidas, and philosophic creeds of Socrates are ever-present in pop culture.
    — Shannon McMahon, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The kallikantzaroi are a group of blind, black goblins who live underground during most of the year sawing at the world tree – a motif throughout various folklores that connects the heavens to the Earth.
    — Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2022

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Cite this Entry

“Legends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legends. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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