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 What may sound apocryphal—like an old man crafting a fiery archetype—has been verified by at least one notable fan. — Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 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 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
  • Her work often blends documentary research with speculative fiction to explore technology, institutions, and cultural memory.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Many millennial and Gen Z collectors also view collector cars as speculative trades rather than long-term stores of value.
    — Robert Frank, CNBC, 13 Aug. 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
  • Mortality, even if distant or hypothetical, is implicit in every patient encounter.
    — Dr. Lucy McBride, Time, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The then-hypothetical facility had been a critical contingency for Riley, who never toured USC’s facilities, but knew — like most people around college football — that the Trojans were seriously lacking in that department.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of hypothetical
Adjective
  • Ultimately, 105 undocumented immigrants were arrested, according to previous Statesman reporting.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
  • To qualify for reduced tuition, undocumented students must have attended a local high school for at least two years and applied to SUNY or CUNY within five years of graduation.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of undocumented
Adjective
  • Bannister's extensive career began with Coscarelli and Angus Scrimm in 1975, leading to their legendary Phantasm collaboration.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Drake’s midlife crisis is seemingly less about shoring up his legacy as a legendary artist than enshrining himself as a historic main character capable of capturing the public’s attention by appealing to its most base instincts.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of legendary
Adjective
  • The Virgo Moon moves through your 2nd House of Resources, making spending, pricing, comfort, and self-worth feel more practical than theoretical.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The public comments came shortly after Fauci had privately raised the theoretical possibility that fever and cytokine-related reactions after a second vaccine dose could be associated with first-trimester miscarriage.
    — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of theoretical
Adjective
  • Such talk seemed fanciful until this week, despite long-term unease with Infantino’s style and previous attempts to force through unpopular projects.
    — Graham Dunbar, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • But for Miami, adding Giannis and LeBron would have made Miami a legitimate East contender with championship hopes no longer fanciful or seeming far off.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Definition of fanciful
Adjective
  • The American supermarket, with its endless array of products and innovations like the shopping cart and barcodes, has achieved an almost mythical status around the world.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Such is the power of mythic literature that the creation has outlived his creator.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 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 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of apocryphal for Spanish Speakers

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