fictional
adjective
fic·tion·al
ˈfik-sh(ə-)nəl 
: of, relating to, characterized by, or occurring in fiction : invented by the imagination
a fictional story/character
fictional dialogue
Over the past 15 years, Noble has created a fantastical, awe-inspiring fictional city called Nobson Newtown, which he renders in painstakingly detailed pencil drawings …—
Steve Rose
Steve RoseThere are several surprises about stories. The first is that we spend a great deal of time in fictional worlds, whether in daydreams, novels, confabulations or life narratives. When all is tallied up, the decades we spend in the realm of fantasy outstrip the time we spend in the real world.—David Eagleman
David EaglemanBesides scholarly writings and cultural criticism, he's turned out a fictional mystery series starring Edgar Allan Poe …—Edward Lewine
Edward Lewine
fictionally
adverb
… a film that documents the history of space science and fictionally portrays a journey to the moon …
—Lynn Baker et al.
Lynn Baker et al.
Synonyms of fictional
Examples of fictional in a Sentence
the events in the horror movie seemed so real to some fans that they could not believe that the whole thing was fictional
Recent Examples on the Web
His wife, played by Sedgwick, is his long-time star; Sosie and Travis play the fictional filmmaker’s kids, both of whom are working on his latest shoot in rural Texas.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
The fictional ’90s sitcom star played by Lisa Kudrow has been around for three major shifts in the television industry.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Yes, these places really exist, though Adrian is a fictional name.
—Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
Bartolomé invites viewers into the landscape of Beirut shattered by the 2020 chemical explosion that killed over 200 people and caused billions of dollars in damage, her approach notable for its evocative cinematography and use of quasi-fictional elements.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
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David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
The fictional ’90s sitcom star played by Lisa Kudrow has been around for three major shifts in the television industry.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Yes, these places really exist, though Adrian is a fictional name.
—Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
Bartolomé invites viewers into the landscape of Beirut shattered by the 2020 chemical explosion that killed over 200 people and caused billions of dollars in damage, her approach notable for its evocative cinematography and use of quasi-fictional elements.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fictional
Cite this Entry
“Fictional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fictional. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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