apocryphal

adjective

Definition of apocryphalnext
as in speculative

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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

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 apocryphal There’s an apocryphal story about John Prine deciding to start his Oh Boy Records after wearying of record label struggles. —Trip McClatchy, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025 The story sounds far-fetched, like one of the many apocryphal yarns of royal transformation that litter folklore and fairytales. —Janine Henni, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025 American sportswriter Frank Deford perpetuated the apocryphal story of Leo Seltzer’s invention of roller derby. —Colleen English, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2025 There’s an apocryphal story among J.R.R. Tolkien fans that the fantasy author’s villainous portrayals of spiders were inspired by a childhood incident when a tarantula bit him. —Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apocryphal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apocryphal
  1. speculative
  2. unauthentic
  3. hypothetical
  4. undocumented
  5. legendary
  6. theoretical
  7. fanciful
  8. mythical
Adjective
  • While estimates for the amount of guidance in existence or birthed yearly may not be as speculative as extrasolar planetary life, the magnitude remains bathed in the radiation of indifference.
    — Clyde Wayne Crews Jr, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Butch Dill/Getty Images While the report is purely speculative at this point, Saban unretiring to get back into coaching wouldn't be a complete shock.
    — Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Definition of speculative
Adjective
  • Inaccurate debunks Amid the recycled imagery, authentic pictures of National Guard members sleeping on the floor of a federal building in Los Angeles this week were falsely described as old or unauthentic.
    — Emma Li, CBS News, 11 June 2025
  • Both games made changes to the core formula that longtime players didn't appreciate, such as an influx of unauthentic skins and a departure from the class system.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Definition of unauthentic
Adjective
  • Some of them don't always make a lot of sense, but this hypothetical deal seems to have the groundwork of a potential trade this month.
    — Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
  • As directed by Grok’s cousin (or whatever), the hypothetical Labubu Movie from AI might be a trainwreck.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 18 July 2025
Definition of hypothetical
Adjective
  • Along with these cuts came sweeping restrictions: LSC grantees were barred from filing class-action lawsuits, representing undocumented immigrants, engaging in welfare reform advocacy, or participating in redistricting cases.
    — Michelle Mbekeani, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • What to Know: A July 8 memo from ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons instructs officers to detain undocumented immigrants for the whole duration of their removal proceedings.
    — Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Definition of undocumented
Adjective
  • The Grammy-winning Prince of Darkness and legendary rocker died just weeks after reuniting with Black Sabbath for a final show in England.
    — Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 24 July 2025
  • In memoriam: The Grammy-winning Prince of Darkness and legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne has died just weeks after reuniting with Black Sabbath for a final show in England.
    — John Carlisle, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of legendary
Adjective
  • From my perspective, these shifts aren’t theoretical.
    — Jack Thorogood, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Carter, who had a doctorate in theoretical physics, dispatched a team of officers to the Bay Area to set up an outpost—officially called the Defense Innovation Unit, but known at the Pentagon as Unit X.
    — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
Definition of theoretical
Adjective
  • Graydon, always an aesthete, got the budget to indulge his more fanciful whims.
    — Michael Grynbaum, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
  • The result is a contemporary boutique property with a touch of nostalgia, nodding to a time when the mansion halls still hosted fanciful dinner parties and soirees.
    — Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 13 July 2025
Definition of fanciful
Adjective
  • Its mythical story left an indelible mark on my mind.
    — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Opened in 2020, the museum features interactive exhibits dedicated to the mythical sea creature.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
Definition of mythical

Browse Nearby Words

apocalyptic
apocryphal
apogean
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Cite this Entry

“Apocryphal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apocryphal. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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