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 But finally laying eyes on the moai feels like seeing a myth come to life. — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026 The piece, by the Bay Area duo BSisters (Behnaz and Baharak Khaleghi), riffs on the myth of Zahāk — a vain tyrant with snakes around his head that eat human brains to keep him alive. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026 For the devoutly Catholic Tolkien, however, ancient myths pointed to truths, not lies, and ultimately to the Gospels. — The Conversation, 6 Nov. 2026 Wuthering Heights and the myth of the Bronte sisters was actually a very big inspiration for me. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 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
  • The racing legend recently spoke to ABC News, opening up his management style, his team's chances of winning a constructors' championship this decade and Audi's new campus in Switzerland.
    — Morgan Korn, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • According to legend, Verlaine and Lloyd were walking past the venue, saw owner Hilly Kristal outside and asked what kind of music the venue showcased.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of legend
Noun
  • The music inspired her to explore divine and human passions through Greek mythology.
    — Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Similarly, in ‘The Odyssey,’ these characters live in mythology, literature and people’s minds.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of mythology
Noun
  • The war has exacted a toll on their economies and shattered illusions about their security.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
  • And that created this brand, maybe an illusion for him, of radical transparency.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of illusion
Noun
  • The fable also highlights the concept of reciprocity, in which acts of kindness and respect toward others can lead to positive outcomes and opportunities for collaboration and mutual support.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Perhaps Bernal, a brilliant scientist whose work with x-ray crystallography led to crucial innovations in the field, was merely engaging in a futuristic fable.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of fable
Noun
  • Sideshow gaffs and American folklore The Feejee Mermaid on display at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and owned by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, may or may not be the one shown by Barnum.
    — Jack Daly, The Conversation, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Whether rooted in folklore, spiritual traditions, or the surreal, the ghostly often becomes another way of telling the truth.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of folklore
Noun
  • With attacks on the rise, the people of Arviat harbor no delusion that polar bears are endangered.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • There’s a lot of fantasy and delusion on this record, but there’s also a lot of genuine pain.
    — Katie Bain, Billboard, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of delusion
Noun
  • This week, San Francisco City Hall hosted its inaugural Diwali celebration, with Mayor Daniel Lurie welcoming the holiday and the community's traditions into the civic space.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The entry hall demonstrates how this home honors architectural tradition.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of tradition
Noun
  • Obstacles, wind, sensor errors, or other system failures can prevent it from completing the maneuver safely.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The Associated Press told CBS Miami that a data entry error caused an incorrect vote total to briefly appear for Locklin, which was quickly identified and corrected.
    — Joan Murray, CBS News, 7 Nov. 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 13 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on myth

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about myth

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