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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 Maybe that’s why this tale has taken on a mythical life of its own in 2025. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2025 As a benevolent barbarian warrior in the mythical land of Hyrkania, Sonja is enslaved and imprisoned by the ecocidal emperor known as Draygan (Robert Sheehan). Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025 Penned by renowned sommelier Enrico Bernardo, Wine & Travel Mediterranean Islands traverses the region’s mythical places where wine, culture and nature meet. Kissa Castaneda, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025 McDonald’s is celebrating the revitalization of the mythical world with an all-new McDonaldland Meal, available starting August 12. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mythical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mythical
Adjective
  • Vinod Khosla, the legendary billionaire investor who has warned of AI’s potential dangers, says that ultimately, the pair’s rivalry will be good for the ecosystem as a whole.
    John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Designed by one of F1's legendary design gurus and Red Bull Racing's former chief technical director, Adrian Newey, the RB17 has been crafted to deliver F1-level lap times, offering drivers the feeling of racing a Grand Prix challenger.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Best neighbor: The Alchemist is renowned for Heady Topper, its fabled double IPA.
    Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
  • One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy on his quest to find the legendary fabled treasure, the One Piece, and become King of the Pirates.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In The Deal, an unlikely romance unfolds for music major Hannah and hockey star Garrett, after Hannah agrees to tutor Garrett in exchange for a pretend date.
    Julia Moore, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Details about the recalled Farm to Table play kitchen The Farm to Table play kitchen is designed for pretend play and is intended for children 3 years or older.
    Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Its immersive screen makes games look unreal, and the OLED panel blows everything else out of the water with its colors and contrast.
    Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Cameron Goode: Being on that stage is just such an unreal experience.
    Joe Lynch, Billboard, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Another transforms her into the enigmatic hostess of an imaginary cabaret, a nod to her Broadway performance in 2014.
    Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Human rights, utopias, interracial love, ambition, war and betrayal are the ingredients of this film crafted with archival images and an imaginary diary shot on 16mm film that expresses all the modernity of Cabral’s vision of the world.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Only one fictional character could draw attention away from Yankees-Red Sox: George Costanza.
    Larry Holder, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The jackalope is a fictional animal that originated in North America and is characterized by a rabbit with horns or antlers.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The trailer is the latest installment in the film’s unique marketing campaign, which has featured seemingly authentic advertisements for the fictitious Rental Family Agency’s unique services.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
  • For security purposes, ministry members use pseudonyms, usually their first name and a fictitious last name, and all mail comes to the church address at 400 East Westminster in Lake Forest.
    Gina Grillo, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mythical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mythical. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.

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