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 Neither Rings nor Guarino knows for sure if that story is accurate or apocryphal. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 2 June 2026 There are other apocryphal gospels named after important people in Jesus’ life and ministry, such as the Gospel of Mary. — Christy Cobb, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2026 There's an apocryphal story about its creations; supposedly Kryptonite was invented so Superman's voice actor Bud Collyer could take vacations while the Man of Steel was incapacitated. — James Grebey, Time, 26 June 2026 Observers close to Rogers and Villa, speaking anonymously like all sources in this piece to protect relationships, recall a neat, perhaps apocryphal tale from that January, when the Premier League side initially made contact with Middlesbrough. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026 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
  • Whether such an android would have a soul or be self-aware, Lee said that's more speculative.
    — Leonard David, Space.com, 3 July 2026
  • Their investment materials include the typical warnings, that positions can be illiquid, speculative and difficult to value.
    — Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Definition of speculative
Adjective
  • Moore said that no matter how famous a host or a guest is, or how elaborate and slick a production is, an unauthentic product will not resonate with audiences.
    — Yahya Salem, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
  • 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
Definition of unauthentic
Adjective
  • The potential for prefab to capture a large share of the fire recovery and speed its progress is still only hypothetical.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • More than 30 years ago, researchers discovered that hypothetical computers based on the laws of quantum physics would be able to rapidly solve difficult math problems.
    — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 6 July 2026
Definition of hypothetical
Adjective
  • Tulloss said his organization supports creating a pathway to citizenship for the city’s undocumented immigrants.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • For example, taxpayers could bear the costs of an undocumented immigrant’s long prison sentence even if the person is ultimately going to be deported.
    — Carolyn Komatsoulis Updated July 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 July 2026
Definition of undocumented
Adjective
  • Ronaldo, 41, one of the most legendary scorers in the history of soccer, burst into tears, soaking up the final moments of the game.
    — Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • The film is Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic poem, following the legendary Greek king Odysseus on his perilous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Definition of legendary
Adjective
  • When people see that scams can be built around them specifically, security habits stop feeling theoretical and start feeling necessary.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • After machine learning identified promising candidates, researchers verified them through theoretical calculations before synthesizing and experimentally confirming the materials.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
Definition of theoretical
Adjective
  • Some fanciful pundits in those pie-in-the-sky stories of 1976 predicted that, by 2026, local property taxes in Florida would no longer exist.
    — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2026
  • Immediately after alighting from its fanciful detour, Woods makes the odd decision to leave Emily’s perspective and lock into Sylvia’s.
    — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026
Definition of fanciful
Adjective
  • But a wiser course might be to emphasize a kind of counter-nostalgia, reclaiming a mythic past for the forces of tolerance and democratic generosity.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • Together, the band brings to life a mythic world of ancient heroes and villains, attracting an excited audience of headbangers and fantasy fanatics, many of whom show up in costume.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 29 June 2026
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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of apocryphal for Spanish Speakers

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