APOCRYPHAL Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'apocryphal' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of apocryphal are fabulous , fictitious , legendary , and mythical . While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," 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

Q: When is 'fabulous' a more appropriate choice than 'apocryphal'?

In some situations, the words fabulous and apocryphal are roughly equivalent. However, fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence. // a land of fabulous riches

Q: When can 'fictitious' be used instead of 'apocryphal'?

The synonyms fictitious and apocryphal are sometimes interchangeable, but fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception. // fictitious characters

Q: Where would 'legendary' be a reasonable alternative to 'apocryphal'?

The words legendary and apocryphal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition. // the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

Q: In what contexts can 'mythical' take the place of 'apocryphal'?

The meanings of mythical and apocryphal largely overlap; however, mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination. // mythical creatures

apocryphal

adjective

Definition of apocryphal next

as in speculative

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word apocryphal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of apocryphal are fabulous, fictitious, legendary, and mythical. While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," 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

When is fabulous a more appropriate choice than apocryphal?

In some situations, the words fabulous and apocryphal are roughly equivalent. However, fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

When can fictitious be used instead of apocryphal?

The synonyms fictitious and apocryphal are sometimes interchangeable, but fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.

fictitious characters

Where would legendary be a reasonable alternative to apocryphal?

The words legendary and apocryphal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

In what contexts can mythical take the place of apocryphal?

The meanings of mythical and apocryphal largely overlap; however, mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.

mythical creatures

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of apocryphal Moreover, he was not aided and abetted by the apocryphal Odessa network, but kept afloat by his affluent family and a small chain of ex-Nazis and their sympathizers. —

Josh Weiss, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 Some see this as a new version of the apocryphal story of Nero fiddling while Rome burns. —

John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024 North Carolina Mutual received early loans from a local white bank, and an apocryphal story passed down in white Durham said that tobacco magnate Washington Duke gifted the idea for the Mutual insurance company to Black leaders in an act of paternal wisdom. —

Victor Luckerson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Sep. 2024 Fantastical details are woven into the tales—the interference of the gods in the Trojan War, the half-divine heritage of the Spartan hero Achilles, the apocryphal gift of a wooden horse filled with Greek soldiers—but archaeologists believe some aspects of the stories were true. —

Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for apocryphal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apocryphal

Adjective

Cox had a reputation for yelling slurs at girls out of the window of his Chevy, an unsavory fact that ballooned into motive in speculative conversations.

Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Some states such as Maryland passed laws recently to completely outlaw speculative tickets.

Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024