myth

noun

ˈmith How to pronounce myth (audio)
Definition of mythnext
1
as in legend
a traditional but unfounded story that gives the reason for a current custom, belief, or fact of nature according to an ancient Greek myth, humans acquired fire from Prometheus, a Titan who had stolen it from heaven

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2
as in mythology
the body of customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings associated with a people, thing, or place over the years Davy Crockett evolved from an actual person to one of the great figures of American myth

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in illusion
a false idea or belief the idea that alligators can live in the sewers of New York is just a myth

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 myth This is how the monstrosities of myth can become a means of revelation. — Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026 Yaga is based on a play by series creator Kat Sandler, who serves as the show’s writer and showrunner, and reimagines the myth of Baba Yaga in a coastal town. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026 Based on the hit play by KIt Sandler, the thriller reimagines the myth of Baba Yaga, a witch who is known to live in a hut on chicken legs and potentially is a murderous seductress or powerful enchantress, depending on the author of the tale. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026 Believing Natural Sugar Doesn’t Count There is also a myth that natural sugar in fruit does not matter. — Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for myth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for myth
  1. legend
  2. mythology
  3. illusion
  4. fable
  5. folklore
  6. delusion
  7. tradition
  8. error
Noun
  • In addition to collaborating with Benatar and her husband, Neil Giraldo, Parton’s rock album featured other collaborations with Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Sting, Pink, Brandi Carlile and more rock legends.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026
  • His 850 tackles through his first 99 games rank eighth behind legends like Ray Lewis, Luke Kuechly and Zach Thomas.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of legend
Noun
  • With a budget of $80 million, the film focuses on two friends magically transported to an island rooted in Philippine mythology.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez created the film’s promotional website in 1998, filling it with fake police reports, evidence photographs and an elaborate mythology while carefully avoiding any suggestion that their story was fictional.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of mythology
Noun
  • But recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia’s oil refineries have led to widespread fuel shortages, shattering the illusion that the consequences of the conflict are far removed from ordinary Russians.
    — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Use your illusion Hancock and his team combined multiple lines of evidence to test their hypothesis that the colorful wing patterns of butterflies served as a form of motion dazzle.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of illusion
Noun
  • Ajon [Singh] talked a lot about that fable of the two wolves.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Is the morality fable at the end an allegory of purgatory or hell?
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of fable
Noun
  • The tale of a girl on the verge of adulthood facing the threat of immigration agents and haunted by specters from Mexican folklore is told through live actors, sophisticated puppetry and an original score of Indigenous percussion.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Domingo plays the eldest daughter of a manananggal – a creature from Philippine folklore that can separate its upper torso from the lower part of its body.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of folklore
Noun
  • The Mayo Clinic defines the mental health condition as typically marked by hallucinations, delusions, depression, and mania.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Hill became increasingly paranoid and developed delusions that she was being surveilled.
    — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of delusion
Noun
  • The leaders also continued the tradition of panda diplomacy, with Xi promising to send two more panda bears to the Atlanta zoo.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2026
  • He is not expected to serve in the Armed Forces before becoming king like his dad, Prince William, and his grandfather, King Charles, breaking a centuries-old tradition.
    — Alicia Brunker, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of tradition
Noun
  • On Friday, the Rams waived punt returner Xavier Smith, who fumbled in last season’s NFC championship game and made several decision-making errors against the Broncos.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Days later, campus administration clarified that their initial communication was an error.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of error

Browse Nearby Words

mystiques
myth
mythical
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Cite this Entry

“Myth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/myth. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on myth

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about myth

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