counterfactual
adjective
coun·ter·fac·tu·al
ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈfak-chə-wəl 
-chəl,
-shwəl,
-chü-əl
: contrary to fact
counterfactual assumptions
Examples of counterfactual in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Binet playfully imagines a counterfactual history in which the Aztecs and the Incas conquer western Europe.
—
Sam Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2021
When researchers provide independent assessments of Uber’s operations based on third-party information, the company predictably dismisses their validity while refusing to provide a counterfactual rebuttal from its own proprietary data.
—Len Sherman, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023
Christian Dannecker began his talk with a convoluted disquisition on deforestation curves, counterfactual modelling, and the limitations of NASA satellite data in assessing dryland deforestation.
—Heidi Blake, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023
The iterations of these counterfactual scenarios could be endless.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2023
Crucial to this development was an algorithm called counterfactual regret minimization.
—New York Times, 18 Jan. 2022
This careful analysis of counterfactual scenarios is run through the fictional model.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 May 2023
Researchers at Spotify have developed a machine-learning model that captures the complex math behind counterfactual analysis, a technique used to identify causes of past events and improve the prediction of future ones, according to a story in MIT Tech Review.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 May 2023
Both claims are counterfactual.
—Laurence Kotlikoff, Forbes, 6 June 2022
Sam Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2021
When researchers provide independent assessments of Uber’s operations based on third-party information, the company predictably dismisses their validity while refusing to provide a counterfactual rebuttal from its own proprietary data.
—Len Sherman, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023
Christian Dannecker began his talk with a convoluted disquisition on deforestation curves, counterfactual modelling, and the limitations of NASA satellite data in assessing dryland deforestation.
—Heidi Blake, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023
The iterations of these counterfactual scenarios could be endless.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2023
Crucial to this development was an algorithm called counterfactual regret minimization.
—New York Times, 18 Jan. 2022
This careful analysis of counterfactual scenarios is run through the fictional model.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 May 2023
Researchers at Spotify have developed a machine-learning model that captures the complex math behind counterfactual analysis, a technique used to identify causes of past events and improve the prediction of future ones, according to a story in MIT Tech Review.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 May 2023
Both claims are counterfactual.
—Laurence Kotlikoff, Forbes, 6 June 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterfactual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near counterfactual
Cite this Entry
“Counterfactual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterfactual. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share