Synonym Chooser

How is the word legendary distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of legendary are apocryphal, fabulous, fictitious, and mythical. While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

When would apocryphal be a good substitute for legendary?

In some situations, the words apocryphal and legendary 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 legendary?

While the synonyms fabulous and legendary are close in meaning, 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 legendary?

While in some cases nearly identical to legendary, fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.

fictitious characters

When could mythical be used to replace legendary?

The synonyms mythical and legendary are sometimes interchangeable, but mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.

mythical creatures

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 legendary Read More architecture Francis Ford Coppola Breaks Down The Design of ‘Megalopolis’ Today, AD is joined by legendary director Francis Ford Coppola to break down the architectural details of ‘Megalopolis’. Linne Halpern, Architectural Digest, 12 Dec. 2024 Grapes for this amazing Cab are sourced from the legendary Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2024 Animated by legendary Japanese anime artist Leiji Matsumoto in collaboration with Japan’s Toei Animation studio and scored by Discovery, Interstella 5555 was created as a series of music videos set to each of the album’s 14 perfect songs. Katie Bain, Billboard, 12 Dec. 2024 Represented by legendary manager Jack Rollins, Brickman took a stab at stand-up but quickly realized his talent lay in writing jokes rather than telling them. Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for legendary 

Thesaurus Entries Near legendary

Cite this Entry

“Legendary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legendary. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on legendary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!