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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 Since they were brought up among the winged creatures, the siblings can ride the mythical creatures as well as speak with them. Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 13 June 2025 Hop on a dragon and take a ride to the mythical Isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons come together for whimsical adventures. Skyler Trepel, EW.com, 13 June 2025 The game is tribal, and Liverpool is something of a cult, a mythical club where local heroes don’t leave easily. Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 With Il Viaggio di Nettuno—A New Chapter, Neptune and his mythical cohort of winged horses and frantic octopuses leap across porcelain tableware in muted shades of butter yellow, sky blue, and peach. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for mythical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mythical
Adjective
  • There are so many iconic places to see on this legendary route, including the Santa Monica pier in Los Angeles and Bixby Creek Bridge in Big Sur.
    Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 17 June 2025
  • The team leaders are legendary celebrity chef Bobby Flay, and expert pit masters Maneet Chauhan and Antonia Lofaso, who is Anderson’s team leader.
    Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • The play was a commission from the fabled Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and as in much art, the brief of the commission determined the play’s path.
    Adam Moss, Vulture, 30 May 2025
  • Over a six-decade career, Kirby created or co-created some of Marvel Comics’ most fabled heroes: the Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, the Avengers, the X-Men, and the groundbreaking Black Panther.
    Michael Callahan, Air Mail, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Indeed, so realistic was this pretend moon that Cowan and fellow imaging experts had to wear protective clothing to prevent the simulated lunar dust from being breathed in, or getting in their hair or on their clothes.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 June 2025
  • Some of our favorite series deliver some of the finest pretend motion pictures.
    James Mercadante, EW.com, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • In a sit-down interview, Goldberg said the amount of disrespect Gunther had for Goldberg was unreal.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • And, if Mateer and Ott are as-advertised, this could be an unreal year for the Sooners.
    Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Like the ugly duckling, new employees often internalize the stressful discomforts caused by real or imaginary signs of mistrust or rejection.
    Naira Velumyan, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Answer: Minnesota Who was Riley’s childhood imaginary friend?
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • In the book, five strangers – a white American geographer, a South Sudanese translator, a northern Sudanese cook, a Sudanese-American filmmaker, and a local boy – find themselves at an NGO compound in the fictional town of Saraaya, on the border of Sudan and South Sudan.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 June 2025
  • The fictional town of Havenport was filmed in Wilmington, NC, and nearby Southport, NC.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • In the film, a massive great white shark hunts people swimming in the water surrounding the fictitious Amity Island.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 13 June 2025
  • Ever since Max began streaming the drama about life in a fictitious Pittsburgh emergency room, it’s been one pinch-me moment after another for Wyle and his fellow executive producers John Wells and R. Scott Gemmill.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 12 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mythical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mythical. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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