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 That was a time, like this one, when Juventus were making mistakes in the pursuit of getting back to the top, even with legends like Gigi Buffon and Alex Del Piero in the team, and the likes of Chiellini and Claudio Marchisio beginning to emerge. James Horncastle, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025 As a result, many legends are connected to its violent past, and its dungeon, in particular, is said to be haunted by tortured souls. Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025 The lots include cars, motorcycles, and automobilia with ties to true Hollywood legends. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025 New restaurants honor Muncie, Ball State history All three of the eateries are inspired by Ball State University legends. Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Oct. 2025 From the blues legends who shaped America’s soundtrack to the modern creatives transforming its neighborhoods, the city’s impact is impossible to ignore. Okla Jones, Essence, 22 Oct. 2025 The show features Performance Center recruits competing under the guidance of legends for a chance to debut on NXT TV. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 Business leaders and boosters—if not the public library’s archivist—thought rumors and legends and sub-cellars, basements, coal chutes, and other subterranean utility spaces made for a marketable product. JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2025 Other artists who have played the iconic venue include Eagles, who have added shows into late 2025 and early 2026, leveraging the immersive audiovisual setting, as well as pop legends Backstreet Boys, who are extending the group’s Into the Millennium residency through February 2026. Dave Brooks, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legends
Noun
  • From playing catch-up to running in parallel Despite early limitations in solver speed, mesh handling, and model stability, Duan states that cloud-native architectures and AI now give Chinese CAE firms a rare opportunity to turn the tables on industry leaders.
    Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The hotel's amenities include a podcast studio, fifth-floor rooftop views, a private dining room and in-room pool tables in some suites.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The captions made the experience even more surreal.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • After a shake-up in the leadership of her controversial conservatorship, fans began to grow concerned for the musician who virtually disappeared from public life, but started frequently posting dancing videos to her Instagram, often with wild, semi-coherent captions.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Foundation Rock also highlights her relationship with other protective deities, consistently linking her power to myths and the spiritual undertone of water.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
  • But when newspapers shifted from reinforcing social order to documenting disorder in readers’ own communities, audiences responded by distrusting the institution that shattered their comforting myths.
    David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • What mattered to me is what the comet meant in Polynesian mythologies.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Evolutionary thinkers have long argued that humans evolved to notice snakes, which might explain why these creatures slither into a vast number of mythologies, from Quetzalcoatl in Mexico and Damballa in West Africa to celestial dragons in China.
    Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • When Delbert returned in the early afternoon, Terri was not present but such personal items as her wallet, cell phone, car and keys were still at the home.
    David Chiu, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
  • These shockproof, waterproof silicone holders can be stashed in your suitcase, attached to your car keys, or tucked into your wallet.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • With Grandma continues that tradition, featuring Creole phrases and translations as well.
    Keyaira Boone, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The Lithuanian Culture Institute even has a program promoting translations of Lithuanian literature.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • According to historical fables, yes.
    Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
  • His movies — farces, fables, experiments — reside in surreal worlds of their own.
    Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • So, the goal would have multiple factors that are all building at very large scales.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • For now, economic heavyweights California and New York are treading water but could easily tip the scales.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Legends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legends. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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