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 Brown is a legendary British-American journalist who was previously editor of The New Yorker and founded The Daily Beast. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026 Eric said that carrying on the legendary legacy of the Looney Tunes was among the greatest honors of his life. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 Crowning yourself king of the hyper-SUV world requires more than just a legendary badge. — New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026 Jonathan Van Meter, the legendary magazine writer and editor, has spent much of his career getting unusually close to famous women. — Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for legendary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for legendary

Adjective

Basquiat himself was the star of Downtown 81, playing a mythic version of himself.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
In their utopian reconstruction of a mythic past, the Agrarians’ polemics failed to mention the South’s legacies of slavery and rebellion.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of mythical

Adjective

Well, at least not the incarnation most fans of the famed Philly basketball series remember from its heyday.

— CBS News, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their masterwork, The Black Parade, the show marked the first time a band has had a residency of that length at the famed venue.

— Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of famed

Adjective

This weekend is also Howard University’s Homecoming, an event that transcends campus with free concerts, including the fabled Yardfest, and plenty of unofficial parties around the city.

— Adele Chapin, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2026
Then, in 1882, by which time the culture of the European Grand Tour amongst wealthy British and North American youth of rank had peaked, the convent finally transmogrified into a hotel (like other convents along this fabled coast).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of fabled

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“Legendary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legendary. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of legendary

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