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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

Examples 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 From here, Mufasa: The Lion King shifts into third gear, leading the group through icy mountains and toward the mythical Shangri-La. Hot pursuits! David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024 In fact, the performer showed up with this outfit in homage to one of the most mythical and memorable among Bob Dylan fans. María Munsuri, Glamour, 14 Dec. 2024 The Pokémon Company says that there will be over 80 new cards to collect in this new expansion, including mythical Pokémon like Mew and Celebi. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024 Over the summer, a graphene device produced a mythical form (opens a new tab) of superconductivity. Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mythical 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mythical
Adjective
  • The steaks are sensational, but the restaurant is also known for its legendary salad bar (rumored to be the first in Nashville) with its homemade dressings like green goddess, French, thousand island, and old-fashioned blue cheese.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2024
  • The ancient Greeks believed that the fruit's seeds symbolized abundance, fertility and eternity, according to the Greek Reporter. Brazil is known for its legendary fireworks show in Rio de Janeiro, especially on New Year's Eve.
    Amanda Cappelli, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • To Look Out For In 2025 After all, 2024 saw the fabled Doomsday Clock stay at the 90 seconds-to-midnight spot for a second year in a row.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Dec. 2024
  • The Capitals have surged back into competitive territory in the wake of their fabled captain's legendary pursuits.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The pretend eight-speed transmission is heaps of fun to use.
    Matthew MacConnell, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
  • There will be a pretend pharmacy, equipped with the same inventory control systems and devices that real pharmacists use.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • And meet the sweetest boy with the unreal outfit that caught the eye of Mama Swift.
    Bryan West, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
  • That’s how unreal next year’s No. 1 overall pick has been.
    Michael Salfino, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • In the meantime [glances at imaginary wristwatch], has anyone seen the NHL ratings?
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Dec. 2024
  • First of all, as Pew Research point out, D&D is in many ways the origin of the metaverse, an imaginary creative space of social interaction and storytelling, the coming incarnation of the online world.
    David G.W. Birch, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Both my fictional White House staff and the viewing public recognized at the time that this was not President Bartlet’s finest hour.
    Martin Sheen, TIME, 19 Dec. 2024
  • The fictional community is said to have a population of about 600 people, but just 120 chairs were purchased for the ceremony, according to Tony Devenyi, the show’s production designer.
    Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • In the movie, Mai plays the manager of fictitious famous pop star Bowyn Sykes (Jessica Lord).
    Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Yet in the years since the 1990 film was released, viewers have focused on another question — how wealthy was the fictitious McCallister family featured in the movie?
    Lorie Konish, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near mythical

Cite this Entry

“Mythical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mythical. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mythical

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