myth

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

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 And the story of Juneteenth and the myth of Juneteenth are equally confusing. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 Eliade’s book is built around the contrast between time as figured in the myth of his title and time as history. Lewis Hyde, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025 The myth of the rugged individual who needs no one is just that: a myth created by stories through culture. Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 Truth that shatters the myths and exposes the policies that have criminalized our love, erased our presence, and punished our attempts to provide. Essence, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for myth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for myth
Noun
  • The map legend now more clearly says where things like anomalies and bosses are.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Billy and his sister Elizabeth continue to keep the advertising legend’s memory alive.
    Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • There is a peculiar power in how Lee framed this story within the mythology of the American West.
    Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2025
  • The main hook was its more layered and mature take on the lore surrounding the character and the more fantastical mythology built around this specific story.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The entire spectacle is, of course, a line-of-sight illusion — all three objects extremely far from each other.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • And if anyone was naive enough to imagine the U.S.-led tournament in 2026 would be free of such political baggage, then surely the increasingly public proximity of the Trump-Infantino relationship has dispelled those illusions.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • As funny as its title suggests, Clam Down transcends its conceit to create a personal fable of transformation, family lore, natural history, and adaptation.
    Literary Hub June 2, Literary Hub, 2 June 2025
  • Highlights this week include four of the greatest R&B divas to ever do it on one stage at Barclays Center, Rena Butler’s take on Aesop’s classic fable with Parsons Dance at The Joyce and a must-see immersive art exhibit in Chelsea celebrating Rolling Stone magazine.
    Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Preserving The Intangible Intangible cultural heritage—including language, dance, spiritual practices, music and folklore—is inherently vulnerable due to its living and performative nature.
    Sattie Persaud, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • Now, among its ancient rock formations, folklore, and fairy pools, Skye has a new claim to fame: food.
    Sarah Wood González, Vogue, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Among these, schizophrenia, a complex mental health condition marked by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, stands out.
    William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
  • Ultimately, there may be no way for Israel to escape its smart-bomb delusion—or another quagmire in the Middle East.
    Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • This suggests either confidence in the modern pace-and-space era breaking tradition, or a reflection of betting behavior more than predictive accuracy.
    Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
  • The White House did not issue a Pride Month proclamation this year — or during Trump’s first administration, reversing a tradition that started in 1999.
    Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Many small business workers may not have digital access or face language barriers when missing paperwork or tech errors can result in automatic loss of coverage.
    Rhett Buttle, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
  • That poll surveyed 658 Virginia residents between May 12 and May 19, and has a weighted margin of error of 5.25 percent.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Myth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/myth. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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