1
as in synthetic
being such in appearance only and made with or manufactured from usually cheaper materials
presumably the statue is of factitious marble, because for that price you're not going to get the real stuff
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in false
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
the factitious friendliness shown by the beauty-pageant contestants to one another
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Recent Examples of factitious
Another was shorting Valeant, the high-flyer with factitious revenue growth.
—
William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
With this announcement, factitious (in my opinion) concerns about Amazon being behind in GenAI will be reduced big time.
—Sandy Carter, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
This is a useful inquiry, because we in the modern world are inundated by manipulated or factitious statistics, fabricated by marketers and politicians, promoted on social media and swallowed whole by news organizations.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2023
Their connection to these was as factitious as their previous link to toothpaste.
—David Mamet, National Review, 31 Mar. 2022
Marc Feldman, the American psychiatrist who popularized the term Munchausen by internet, has noticed that most of the cases of factitious disorder that come to his attention involve women.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2021
Almanacs aren’t always — and haven’t always been — so fastidiously factitious.
—Mark Athitakis, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2020
William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
With this announcement, factitious (in my opinion) concerns about Amazon being behind in GenAI will be reduced big time.
—Sandy Carter, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
This is a useful inquiry, because we in the modern world are inundated by manipulated or factitious statistics, fabricated by marketers and politicians, promoted on social media and swallowed whole by news organizations.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2023
Their connection to these was as factitious as their previous link to toothpaste.
—David Mamet, National Review, 31 Mar. 2022
Marc Feldman, the American psychiatrist who popularized the term Munchausen by internet, has noticed that most of the cases of factitious disorder that come to his attention involve women.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2021
Almanacs aren’t always — and haven’t always been — so fastidiously factitious.
—Mark Athitakis, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for factitious
Adjective
-
The Hidden Costs of Conventional Pest Control Conventional pest control methods often rely heavily on synthetic chemical use to provide homeowners with quick solutions to pest problems.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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But the actual technology itself, the idea of artificial intelligence and synthetic creations that are lifelike and seem real — that’s an absolute threat.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Several residents who work in the Georgia King Village area weighed in on the incident, including Harriette Guity, who told News12 that false reports based on AI could stretch first responders thin.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Archaeologists concluded the structure was actually a false tomb, or a cenotaph, a type of burial monument erected to honor a deceased person buried elsewhere.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Heathyoga Pleated Dress Pants Heathyoga cozy-fied the idea of a classic dress pant with an elastic waistband, faux back pockets, real side pockets, a faux fly, and belt loops.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
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The bootie slippers are covered in a striking microwool and lined with pillowy faux fur that’s super warming.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
For thousands of years, men in power have been responsible for catastrophe after genocide after unnatural disaster.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Scrutinize fine details like hair, fur, or repetitive patterns that may appear unnatural, and inspect for illogical lighting, shadows, or odd background elements.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Investors appeared unnerved by big increases in spending that Meta Platforms and Microsoft are planning as the investment spree related to artificial-intelligence technology keeps gushing.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
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Space station crews are also partnering with LambdaVision to manufacture artificial retinas in orbit that can be used to treat patients losing their vision to such conditions as retinitis pigmentosa.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
What really makes the dress stand out is its chic details, which includes a structured seam around the waist, gold-tone decorative buttons, and a mock neckline.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The eye-rolling, groaning, mock-despair brings the group together.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Cybercriminals often use fake promotional emails or ads that look like real store offers.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The cohost brought up the astronaut during a discussion of Kim Kardashian's claim that the moon landing was fake.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Rookie first-round draft pick Nique Clifford has been upgraded to questionable after missing the past four games with a strained right hamstring.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
31 Oct. 2025
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Father Mother Sister Brother tells the story of estranged siblings who reunite after years apart and are forced to confront unresolved tensions and reevaluate their strained relationships with their emotionally distant parents.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Factitious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/factitious. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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