myth

noun

ˈmith How to pronounce myth (audio)
Definition of mythnext
1
as in legend
a traditional but unfounded story that gives the reason for a current custom, belief, or fact of nature according to an ancient Greek myth, humans acquired fire from Prometheus, a Titan who had stolen it from heaven

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2
as in mythology
the body of customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings associated with a people, thing, or place over the years Davy Crockett evolved from an actual person to one of the great figures of American myth

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in illusion
a false idea or belief the idea that alligators can live in the sewers of New York is just a myth

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 myth The result is a heartfelt, chaotic and wildly funny story about friendship, family, fame and the messy line between myth and reality. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Girls often want power, the power granted to them by the myths of America’s happy story. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 But kudzu’s presence in the South is more complicated than this myth suggests. — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Aug. 2026 While stimulating a fresh sense of observation, Selwyn also wanted to counter some myths about museums. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for myth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for myth
  1. legend
  2. mythology
  3. illusion
  4. fable
  5. folklore
  6. delusion
  7. tradition
  8. error
Noun
  • Naturally, when a legend like Dion emerges, a huge crowd of fans will form.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The Argentine legend completed a hat trick to stretch the lead to 5-1 in the 83rd minute, chipping a shot over the goalkeeper off an assist from Rodrigo De Paul.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of legend
Noun
  • Wolf succumbs to Shura, a demonic force in the game’s mythology that possesses those who give in to bloodlust.
    — Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Parton, who died Tuesday at age 80, occupied a space in our global cultural imagination — a figure of American mythology, someone best described as larger-than-life and then a little bit more.
    — Maria Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of mythology
Noun
  • This is the illusion that the Rankine of Triage has abandoned.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The illusion of molten steel was basically water and mineral oil mixed with a little powdered sugar; creative lighting and heaters placed below the cameras—plus a few CGI sparks in the background—did the rest.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of illusion
Noun
  • Sullivan’s Anne first aired on PBS the very same night, for instance, that the erotic multicultural dance fable Flashdance was first shown on network TV.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Even the 2025 Tigers, the team that staved off a monumental late-season collapse, lives on as a fable highlighting the importance of playing the whole schedule.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of fable
Noun
  • Deploy cunning and operate in darkness, like those shapeshifting, half-human, half-wolf creatures revered in German folklore.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Popular media and Southern folklore frequently claimed that kudzu was swallowing 150,000 new acres every year and had overtaken anywhere from 7 to 9 million acres across the region.
    — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of folklore
Noun
  • Symptoms of postpartum psychosis can include delusions or hallucinations that can prompt suicidal or homicidal action, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That’s the sign of an overmatched team, and one that should be far, far away from any delusions of postseason grandeur.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of delusion
Noun
  • There are more than 200 distinct pieces that capture Mexico’s expansive and influential muralist tradition of the modern era.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
  • His legacy will be most remembered for two painful gut punches to Bruins tradition.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of tradition
Noun
  • After a stellar start with just one error in 14 games, Lombard has now committed an error in six consecutive games.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Dylan Beavers drove in Mayo with a two-out single and Taveras scored on a fielding error by Lopez for a 2-0 lead.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of error

Browse Nearby Words

mystiques
myth
mythical
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on myth

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about myth

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