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Synonym Chooser

How is the word mythical distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of mythical are apocryphal, fabulous, fictitious, and legendary. While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.

mythical creatures

When is apocryphal a more appropriate choice than mythical?

In some situations, the words apocryphal and mythical are roughly equivalent. However, apocryphal implies an unknown or dubious source or origin or may imply that the thing itself is dubious or inaccurate.

a book that repeats many apocryphal stories

In what contexts can fabulous take the place of mythical?

While in some cases nearly identical to mythical, fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

When might fictitious be a better fit than mythical?

While the synonyms fictitious and mythical are close in meaning, fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.

fictitious characters

When can legendary be used instead of mythical?

The words legendary and mythical can be used in similar contexts, but legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

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 mythical In a new era of Steven Knight's Peaky Blinders, the race to own Birmingham’s massive reconstruction project becomes a brutal contest of mythical dimensions. Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025 Lu’s journal-like songwriting anchors the mythical, otherworldly atmosphere depicted on the album cover and Wisp’s viral music videos. John Lonsdale, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025 At least before there was Fidel, this mythical figure, but Cuba now is a failed nation. Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025 Young Pokémon trainers Liko, Roy, and Dot continue their journey to find the mythical Laqua and face new challenges along the way. Devonne Goode, Parents, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mythical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mythical
Adjective
  • Unser comes from a legendary racing family and his father, Al Unser, and uncle, Bobby Unser, who are both Indy 500 winners themselves.
    Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Lionel Messi and Inter Miami honored Sergio Busquets’ legendary career on Saturday night with a lopsided victory and postgame ceremony, but their Supporters’ Shield hopes simultaneously slipped away.
    Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • On top of that, this year’s tournament is at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, on Long Island – a place near and dear to any Empire State golfer, even one like the president who hasn’t played a public track like the fabled Black course in many, many years.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Does that mean all hope is over for the fabled winter season of TWL?
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Round out their pretend cooking space with a wooden cutting food set or realistic play foods.
    Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
  • As a promotion for the This Is Spinal Tap sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, the pretend British band collaborated with the very real British rocker Elton John for a new version of the fan favorite.
    Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Mitchell had an unreal breakup on a corner route versus Chris Godwin, as well as a behind-the-back defense of a go ball in the end zone against Egbuka.
    Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • This Tribal Council set is unreal.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Bridge once again hosted a fashion week party in its Milan digs, with the set designed to take guests on an imaginary journey along the Tyrrhenian coast.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Soilonic is trying to make a digital token that isn’t just imaginary money.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The winning formula had viewers returning to the show's fictional Louisiana town long after Edward and Bella had their happily ever after.
    Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Does their fictional status matter?
    Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Garcia-Hernandez allegedly has convictions for giving fictitious information, evading arrest, driving while intoxicated and fleeing police.
    Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Supervisors Janet Nguyen and Don Wagner raised concerns at the board’s Tuesday meeting about fictitious registrations following recent news of a dog that was registered to vote in two recent state elections and a lawsuit by the federal government over noncitizen voter records.
    Claire Wang, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mythical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mythical. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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