fictional

adjective

fic·​tion·​al ˈfik-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce fictional (audio)
Synonyms of fictionalnext
: 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
There 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
Besides scholarly writings and cultural criticism, he's turned out a fictional mystery series starring Edgar Allan Poe …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.

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
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.
The show’s fictional restaurant The Salty Breeze provided catering for the evening, as attendees had a choice between two different cuisines. Abby Stern, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026 The complaint includes excerpts from interviews between Cameron and his production team that mention Kilcher by name and describe how her likeness was used as inspiration for the fictional character who was played on-screen by Zoe Saldaña. Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 6 May 2026 There have been other touch points, like the affinity some Task Force officers have for the Punisher logo, that crosses from the fictional into reality. Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026 The mainstays will be at the Château de la Messardière in Saint-Tropez and the Hôtel Martinez in Cannes, both renamed for the fictional hotel brand as White Lotus du Cap and the White Lotus Cannes. Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fictional

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fictional was in 1834

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Cite this Entry

“Fictional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fictional. Accessed 7 May. 2026.

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