as in errors
a false idea or belief
the belief that going outside with wet hair will cause you to catch cold is just an old wives' tale
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old wives' tales
Noun
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Judges have a duty to ensure that a person’s liberty, due process rights, and privacy are not compromised by administrative or technical errors.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026 -
But those errors didn’t stop his performance on Sunday from helping Team USA earn a gold medal in the team figure skating event.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One of the persistent myths of the ’90s is that, with the runaway success of Nirvana’s Nevermind, label executives stopped searching for pop stars and focused on regional scenes to uncover unlikely diamonds in the rough like the Goo Goo Dolls.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
14 Feb. 2026
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Many myths about surrogacy persist, but the practice remains one that is legal and for which surrogates are fairly compensated.—
Kris Ann Valdez,
Parents,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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So the dreams — or delusions — of past officials proved false.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
1 Feb. 2026
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The darkly comedic drama confronts reality, privacy, and the delusions fueling our ever-changing world.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Rybakina was under more scoreboard pressure in her service games, but Sabalenka’s opportunities were mostly illusions.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Saturn brings accountability, Neptune dissolves illusions and Aries demands action.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But if superstitions don't bother you, there are other ways to mark Friday the 13th.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Feb. 2026
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The date is considered unlucky by some due to superstitions surrounding the number 13 in Western cultures.—
Lianna Norman,
Florida Times-Union,
13 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Old wives' tales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20wives%27%20tales. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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