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
Reporters retraced parts of the Oregon Trail, panned for gold in California and followed the myths and realities of Paul Revere's 1775 ride from Boston as the Redcoats moved in, among other travels that still resonate today.
—
Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Forces of good and evil collide in a terrifying film where real-world challenges crash headlong into other worldly creatures and myths.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Nations weave myths out of victories and erase defeats with the promise of future triumphs.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Few travel myths are as persistent as the idea that peeing on a jellyfish sting will relieve pain.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
This Swedish import swept into American theaters in 2008 like a blast of ice-cold air, stunning critics and audiences alike with its unique, haunting take on vampire myths.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Foundation Rock also highlights her relationship with other protective deities, consistently linking her power to myths and the spiritual undertone of water.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
In her work, Warner has dispelled myths such as the one that indigenous people, astonished by modern technologies, believed that cameras stole their souls.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The character names in many western fantasy books today would sound right at home in a Welsh classroom, and numerous plots draw on our myths and history.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Forces of good and evil collide in a terrifying film where real-world challenges crash headlong into other worldly creatures and myths.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Nations weave myths out of victories and erase defeats with the promise of future triumphs.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Few travel myths are as persistent as the idea that peeing on a jellyfish sting will relieve pain.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
This Swedish import swept into American theaters in 2008 like a blast of ice-cold air, stunning critics and audiences alike with its unique, haunting take on vampire myths.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Foundation Rock also highlights her relationship with other protective deities, consistently linking her power to myths and the spiritual undertone of water.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
In her work, Warner has dispelled myths such as the one that indigenous people, astonished by modern technologies, believed that cameras stole their souls.
—David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The character names in many western fantasy books today would sound right at home in a Welsh classroom, and numerous plots draw on our myths and history.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for myths
Noun
-
The advisory board will consist of up to two delegates from each club, including investors, cultural leaders and sports legends.—
Jessica Golden,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
As Drag Race viewers know, Plasma is a Broadway baby through and through, a Gay White Way devotee whose humor and style draws on legends like Barbra Streisand and Bernadette Peters.—
Joe Lynch,
Billboard,
5 Nov. 2025
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
-
To stop this quarterback, Mizzou can’t get tricked by his illusions.—
Chase Gemes,
Kansas City Star,
24 Oct. 2025
-
What illusions have been too sweet to let go of?—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
According to historical fables, yes.—
Julie Tremaine,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
-
His movies — farces, fables, experiments — reside in surreal worlds of their own.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Guiteau had childhood traumas and delusions of grandeur, but his desire to find purpose through public service is presented as at least partially earnest.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
-
But if reality is infused with consciousness, this does at least open up the possibility that mystical experiences might be genuine insights into the nature of reality rather than just strange psychological delusions.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Culturally, Shinto and Buddhist traditions emphasize respect for life and nature, which are deeply valued in Japan; in Nagano and Gifu prefectures, black bears are sometimes revered as mountain deities, researchers wrote in a paper this summer.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
There were extremely rich philosophical traditions in the non-Western world that your great books classes completely ignore.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Orlando dominated the home stretch, however, by capitalizing on a string of Celtics errors.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Tied again at 21, the Rattlers had three hitting errors down the stretch.—
Tim Meehan SD,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Read on to learn about some of the pre-pageant superstitions, rituals and traditions maintained by Miss USA contestants from across the country.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
How Superstitions Impact Modern Life and Pregnacy Pregnancy and childbirth are major life changes, and with that may come feelings of nervousness, excitement, even fear—and some of these feelings could present themselves as superstitions.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Myths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/myths. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share