myth

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

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 One part of that myth says there can be no Nazis here. Henry Leutwyler Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 20 May 2025 Set in a ghostly Himalayan town, the movie is billed as an exploration of myth, memory, and places left behind. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 May 2025 The Odyssey, the Oppenheimer director’s epic take on the classic Greek myth, will shoot entirely on Imax film cameras, a first for a commercial feature. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025 Note to Leaders: Put a moratorium on secrets, myths, and gossip. Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for myth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for myth
Noun
  • And the troubadour legend, who haunted those same Village clubs during that same time, was…a bit underwhelmed.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2025
  • The Axeman remains one of New Orleans’ most enduring legends, inspiring books, jazz ballads and even an appearance in American Horror Story, the FX series.
    Christina Coulter, People.com, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • The Trojan horse metaphor comes from Greek mythology, in which there is a tale of a large hollow wooden horse, secretly transporting Greek soldiers, being given as a gift to the city of Troy during the Trojan War.
    Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
  • My thing was trying to uphold the integrity of Miyagi and Daniel and the mythology of the original movie.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • The entire space was stunned by the illusion of water gushing and animals moving toward the audience.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 28 May 2025
  • Donald Trump started selling the illusion of exclusivity half a century ago.
    Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • The film, which won the jury prize at the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film festival, is a hilarious fable about trying to lead a creative life and failing miserably at making ends meet.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 24 May 2025
  • But even more than that, Joe wants to be the hero of this warped fable.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • The film’s blend of humor, supernatural elements and folklore struck a chord with audiences, paving the way for further exploration of the genre.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 May 2025
  • During the five-day journey, Anangu guides will share ancestral stories and folklore.
    Acacia Gabriel, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Researchers noted the positive effects of ecstatic epilepsy and synthesized fifty-three theoretical models of delusion.
    Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 22 May 2025
  • But planted within that picture was a glimmer of hope — or maybe delusion — for Sabres fans.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • More and more people are adjusting tradition to find something that suits them better.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • In June, the lodge will welcome Dry Fly Saloon, its on-site restaurant, serving hearty breakfasts and dinners inspired by Montana’s culinary traditions.
    Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • The government has admitted in court that his deportation was an administrative error.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2025
  • At least some of the errors produced by his code can be traced to using older versions of OpenAI models available through the VA — models not capable of solving complex tasks, according to the experts consulted by ProPublica.
    Brandon Roberts, ProPublica, 6 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Myth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/myth. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on myth

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!