1
as in legends
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in mythologies
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 illusions
a false idea or belief
the idea that alligators can live in the sewers of New York is just a myth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 myths
In the early 2020s, white supremacists turned those myths into internet propaganda.
—
Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Numerous legends and myths surround the estate.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
For while Disneyland is corporately owned and managed, the park has become a cultural institution, a reflection of the stories and myths that have shaped America.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Taken together, these myths explain why leadership failure is so persistent and so predictable.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The many myths and inaccuracies that surrounded him not only disguised the bloody, chaotic and cynical reality of Ramírez’s activities, but greatly assisted them.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
But myths are made of moments, and one of the most decisive moments in Super Bowl history belongs to Richard Dent.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
This week’s challenge tests your memory of 21st-century books that were inspired by ancient myths, legends and folk tales.
—New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Because of this rare condition, superstitions and myths have permeated certain African countries, both positive and negative.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2026
Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Numerous legends and myths surround the estate.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
For while Disneyland is corporately owned and managed, the park has become a cultural institution, a reflection of the stories and myths that have shaped America.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Taken together, these myths explain why leadership failure is so persistent and so predictable.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
The many myths and inaccuracies that surrounded him not only disguised the bloody, chaotic and cynical reality of Ramírez’s activities, but greatly assisted them.
—Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026
But myths are made of moments, and one of the most decisive moments in Super Bowl history belongs to Richard Dent.
—Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
This week’s challenge tests your memory of 21st-century books that were inspired by ancient myths, legends and folk tales.
—New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Because of this rare condition, superstitions and myths have permeated certain African countries, both positive and negative.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for myths
Noun
-
McCutchen aired out the Pirates on social media, comparing himself to other legends of teams throughout the league that go to functions set up each year.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
At these community events, monks and others wear intricate costumes and masks to act out the lore of historical legends.—
Amy Nelson,
Twin Cities,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
What mattered to me is what the comet meant in Polynesian mythologies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Evolutionary thinkers have long argued that humans evolved to notice snakes, which might explain why these creatures slither into a vast number of mythologies, from Quetzalcoatl in Mexico and Damballa in West Africa to celestial dragons in China.—
Manvir Singh,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The number of charges for her webs has been reduced by one at all levels, and Incapacitating Bite can no longer be applied by illusions.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
In a matter of weeks, illusions that had lingered for decades collapsed.—
Kazem Kazerounian,
Hartford Courant,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Geminis have a tendency to speak of fables to protect themselves or to make their lives seem more fulfilling.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
15 Dec. 2025
-
His movies — farces, fables, experiments — reside in surreal worlds of their own.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The kallikantzaroi are a group of blind, black goblins who live underground during most of the year sawing at the world tree – a motif throughout various folklores that connects the heavens to the Earth.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The therapist could practice on a person pretending to have delusions, though this is likely costly and logistically complicated to arrange.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The neuropsychiatric effects of Huntington's disease include mood changes and altered thinking, such as hallucinations and delusions.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In Kano and Northern Nigeria, this marks the start of the Durbar festival, an annual cultural, religious and equestrian celebration showcasing the rich heritage and traditions of the Hausa people.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
There’s a casual, authoritative swing to their performance that belies the stylistic range on the record; the songs touch upon different traditions, yet all sound of a piece.—
Stephen Thomas Erlewine,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
When teams have not been rigorously tested in realistic, high-pressure environments, automation can become a force multiplier for errors.—
James Hadley,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Gauff hit zero winners and compiled 11 unforced errors in the set.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Myths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/myths. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
