FICTITIOUS Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fictitious' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fictitious are apocryphal , fabulous , legendary , and mythical . While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception. // fictitious characters

Q: When would 'apocryphal' be a good substitute for 'fictitious'?

The words apocryphal and fictitious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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: Where would 'fabulous' be a reasonable alternative to 'fictitious'?

The synonyms fabulous and fictitious are sometimes interchangeable, but fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence. // a land of fabulous riches

Q: In what contexts can 'legendary' take the place of 'fictitious'?

Although the words legendary and fictitious have much in common, legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition. // the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

Q: When can 'mythical' be used instead of 'fictitious'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fictitious , mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination. // mythical creatures

fictitious

adjective

fik-ˈti-shəs

Definition of fictitious next

as in fictional

not real and existing only in the imagination his wartime exploits turned out to be entirely fictitious, as he had never even been in the military

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How is the word fictitious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of fictitious are apocryphal, fabulous, legendary, and mythical. While all these words mean "having the nature of something imagined or invented," fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.

fictitious characters

When would apocryphal be a good substitute for fictitious?

The words apocryphal and fictitious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Where would fabulous be a reasonable alternative to fictitious?

The synonyms fabulous and fictitious are sometimes interchangeable, but fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

In what contexts can legendary take the place of fictitious?

Although the words legendary and fictitious have much in common, legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

When can mythical be used instead of fictitious?

While in some cases nearly identical to fictitious, 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 fictitious There are homages galore, as well as savvy throwback flourishes — from an extensive use of matte backdrops to, good news for TV Glow fans, extensive glimpses of the original (and, OK, fictitious) Camp Miasma — that only enhance the thornier social commentary. —

David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026 First, Jones submitted fraudulent expense reimbursement requests for fictitious business expenses. —

Irene Wright, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026 Investigators say the monthly payroll expenses and the number of employees were fictitious and that the documents used to support the monthly income for the companies were false. —

Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026 The moment that lingered came later, when the (sadly fictitious) films of William Harbeck brought me out onto the open deck at dusk. —

Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fictitious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fictitious

Adjective

The series, which is set in the fictional county of Rutshire, England, follows an intense rivalry.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 May 2026
The fictional character was highly logical, possessed great inner strength, exhibited loyalty, kept his emotions in check, and otherwise showcased admirable qualities.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026