LEGENDARY Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

legendary

adjective

ˈle-jən-ˌder-ē

Definition of legendary

as in mythical

based on, described in, or being a myth the unicorn is a legendary creature

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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

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 legendary One of Venezuela’s most legendary bands brings tropical music to Orlando. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 Summary Roger Federer was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, solidifying his legendary status. — Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 New Atlas looks at the legendary Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife. — David Szondy august 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026 While the chocolate and coconut pies have their fans, Charlotte’s caramel pie is truly legendary. — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legendary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legendary

Adjective

Morris’s book focuses only on the representation of real animals; cataloguing mythic and hybrid creatures would take another volume entirely.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Equally jubilant and terrifying, his size brings both John and Jim Ross to this mythic quality.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of mythical

Adjective

That’s significant because Ross is a descendant of John Ross (also July), the famed leader of the Cherokee Nation in 1835 who vehemently was against the Ridges’ position to leave their homeland.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
The famed Big 5 (elephants, buffalos, leopards, rhinos, and lions) are all easily spotted in these lands, but the diverse habitats provide opportunities for different behavioral sightings, from feeding to bathing and mating.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of famed

Adjective

The fabled entertainer died after a series of health issues that led her to postpone several performing commitments.

— RJ Smith, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Off in Motherland, Ted begins a career as a professor and thanks to some college campus confusion, gets closer to the fabled Mother than ever.

— Erin Strecker, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of fabled

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“Legendary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legendary. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of legendary

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