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
In October 2021, a prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark — starring James Gandolfini's son, Michael Gandolfini, as a young Tony Soprano — aired in theaters and on HBO, giving another glimpse into the fictional New Jersey family.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Mostly forgotten today is a literary subgenre that sprang up in the nineteenth century in order to give fictional shape to anxieties about the possibility of Britain’s invasion and defeat by its European neighbors.
—Ivan Kreilkamp, JSTOR Daily, 10 June 2026
Here, a fictional band has been beautifully imagined by author Dawnie Walton—but actual songs could tip this project into the astral plane.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
The Prime series, based on the bestselling novel Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, takes us to idyllic Canada in the fictional Barry’s Bay, where gorgeous lakes and charming homes are the springboard for an unforgettable romance ten years in the making.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 10 June 2026
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Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Mostly forgotten today is a literary subgenre that sprang up in the nineteenth century in order to give fictional shape to anxieties about the possibility of Britain’s invasion and defeat by its European neighbors.
—Ivan Kreilkamp, JSTOR Daily, 10 June 2026
Here, a fictional band has been beautifully imagined by author Dawnie Walton—but actual songs could tip this project into the astral plane.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
The Prime series, based on the bestselling novel Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, takes us to idyllic Canada in the fictional Barry’s Bay, where gorgeous lakes and charming homes are the springboard for an unforgettable romance ten years in the making.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 10 June 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 16 Jun. 2026.
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