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 Sourdough bread’s popularity is fueling a probiotic myth Sourdough bread has gone from bakery staple to household obsession. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 As Carson and Rapp’s search for Henry deepens, Yaga cuts a jagged (though, at this point, well-trod by shows like Hulu’s Furious or even Netflix’s East of Eden) path through themes of wealth, male entitlement, female rage and the purpose of myth. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 Assemblymember Natasha Johnson, R-Lake Elsinore, who is the vice chair of the chamber’s elections committee, said in a statement that Democratic colleagues had called voter fraud a myth. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Subverting that myth, the Met show ambitiously resets the history of Abstract Expressionism, going a long way to reveal the complexity of their artistic relationship. — John Yau, ARTnews.com, 18 Oct. 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
  • The Jim Casey of official legend was a wise and thoughtful leader who rarely, if ever, made a mistake.
    — Marc Levinson, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Dolly Parton's niece, Danielle Parton, has been named the new brand ambassador for the late country music legend's estate, nearly two months after the singer's death.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of legend
Noun
  • With Forgotten Island‘s central story of friendship and themes inspired by Philippines mythology, Filipino-American singer Sophia Laforteza of the global girl group KATSEYE was a fitting pick to make music for the DreamWorks Animation film.
    — Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In most versions of the Greek mythology, Medusa is a beautiful woman that was cursed by the goddess Athena with a head of snakes instead of hair and the horrible ability to turn people to stone with just one look.
    — Lynsey Eidell, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of mythology
Noun
  • Some opening day effects are long gone, such as the illusion created by actual shifting doors at the start of the attraction, or visions of tumbling rubble near its beginning.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Growing up in Wyoming’s rugged realities left no illusion that humans are solely in control.
    — Amelia Rose Barlow, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of illusion
Noun
  • The show’s title is inspired by the fable that the Nile springs from the Moon Mountains, an undefined range south of the country.
    — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
  • From Roma to All Quiet on the Western Front, Netflix has a long history of successfully campaigning for non-English language historical fables—but can this be the studio’s first movie to scoop the top prize?
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of fable
Noun
  • With eight episodes featuring Williams alongside Carrie-Anne Moss, Clark Backo, Noah Reid, and more, fans are in for secrets, seduction, folklore, and the supernatural.
    — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Gallardo highlighted Argentine artist Milo J, who at 19 has connected younger listeners with the country’s traditional folklore.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of folklore
Noun
  • In contrast to the gorgeous monochrome visuals, this is a land that stinks of complicity and delusion — of opportunists desperate to scramble onto the right side of history.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Their passions and delusions strengthen through their symbiosis.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of delusion
Noun
  • The next president, regardless of party, will face specific questions about how much to sustain the long tradition of direct US military aid to Israel and deep US integration with its military.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In Spain, modern farming methods have reduced the practice of transhumance to a small group of farmers that keep the tradition alive not just for its environmental benefits but also for its cultural value.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of tradition
Noun
  • Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler lead Lakers past the Clippers in an error-prone game.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The two-point difference is within the poll’s margin of error.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about myth

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