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 Putting These Ideas Into Practice Rein works hard at debunking neuroscience myths and telling people which brain interventions don’t actually hold up. — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The Wild West was even then a myth receding into a hazy, heroic past. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 Know your facts and myths about nutrition and eating disorders. — Miranda Roberts, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026 Sending up the myth of the male genius, The Idiots is also a beautiful love story about the writer and the wife that saved him. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Aug. 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
  • Esteban Ribovics proved to be too much for the Brazilian legend, battering him to a TKO loss and into retirement.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • In Samish legend, Ko-Kwal-Alwoot was a young woman from Rosario village who married the king of the sea and became immortal.
    — John Ryan, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of legend
Noun
  • The slate will span genres including mythology, drama, mystery, thriller and romance.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
  • There is no reason entering the 2026 season to dismiss any Cignetti mythology the imagination can manufacture.
    — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of mythology
Noun
  • But planning and repositioning are different exercises, and the space between them is exactly where the diversification illusion lives longest.
    — Khalifa Aldhaheri, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shattered Europe’s remaining illusions not just about Moscow but also about Beijing.
    — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of illusion
Noun
  • Likewise, Schoenbrun specializes in zeitgeisty fables about 21st century isolation.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Here is the rather randy first trailer for Wicker, the comedic fable starring Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård and Peter Dinklage that debuted at Sundance in January.
    — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 30 July 2026
Definition of fable
Noun
  • That phone call has rightly already been enshrined in Arsenal folklore.
    — Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In the case of John, though, had one of you been dabbling in Swiss folklore at the time?
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of folklore
Noun
  • As in other sports , every fan base enters certain levels of delusion.
    — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Symptoms of toxicity can include delusions, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing and increases in blood pressure and heart rate.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of delusion
Noun
  • The latter was made by Collectiva Concepción, a Mexico City brand that seeks to support artisans in rural communities and preserve many of Mexico’s textile traditions.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
  • There has been no press conference or presentation event to unveil the Portuguese manager — a Real Madrid tradition that dates back more than 50 years.
    — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of tradition
Noun
  • Smith allowed Boston to load the bases when Ceddanne Rafaela lined a single over a leaping Willy Adames, leaving him with no margin for error against the heart of Boston’s lineup.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The Missouri Supreme Court overturned the verdict a year later, however, citing errors by the judge and concluding that the prosecution never proved a murder had even been committed.
    — Dan Kelly August 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of error

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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 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on myth

Nglish: Translation of myth for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about myth

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