1
as in historical
restricted to or based on fact
a factual biography of George Washington that scoffs at the story about the cherry tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in actual
existing in fact and not merely as a possibility
a serious scientist, she is only interested in factual phenomena and lets others speculate about the hypothetical
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of factual
As someone trying to protect my father hundreds of miles away, clear, factual information made all the difference.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
In a news release Wednesday, Young pushed back on the factual nature of his words.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Whether this internal awareness constitutes the kind of corporate knowledge that supports liability is a central factual question for the jury to decide.
—Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026
Overall, responses were 18% less likely to contain factual mistakes.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for factual
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
In a news release Wednesday, Young pushed back on the factual nature of his words.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Whether this internal awareness constitutes the kind of corporate knowledge that supports liability is a central factual question for the jury to decide.
—Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026
Overall, responses were 18% less likely to contain factual mistakes.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for factual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for factual
Adjective
-
As Trump fumbles with the Pandora’s Box he’s broken open, there’s no shortage of historical analogies to choose from.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Oftentimes, exhibits—which range in focus from a specific artist to a historical period to a thematic thread—can displace the permanent collection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Preliminary results suggest that this type of radiation may impair cognitive abilities, but the actual effects on people are unknown.—
Scott Solomon,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Megan Thee Stallion ‘Was Gonna Eat This Anyway’ Megan Thee Stallion, who was publicly spotted combining Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with actual pickles before the partnership ever came together, is a genuine fan of the product (and flavor).—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
McGraw Media agreed to remove all content from the documentary-style series that the department designates as inaccurate or confidential, that the NYPD is legally prohibited from releasing, that reveals investigatory techniques or that would otherwise compromise public safety or the public trust.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Even as documentary producers warn of tightening financing and shrinking commissioning budgets, the pipeline of new films shows little sign of slowing.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Chamblee Police launch a new real-time crime center, using advanced technology to track and prevent crime across the city.—
Leondra Head,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In contrast, ultrafast electron microscopy provides a powerful tool for studying how materials behave under dynamic conditions, enabling scientists to directly link nanoscale structure with real-time physical processes.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Cristobal’s arc can use a mite more variance overall, but her playing of Margot’s inner-torture from having to live with the literal shards of blood on her neck is effective.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Amy O’Donnell, the executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, sees ultrasounds specifically as literal lifesavers.—
Emily Brindley
Health Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There was no true striker for England.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Full Moon highlights your 4th House of Traditions, nudging you to think about what makes your residence a true home base.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That delirious excess befits the essence of Lapid’s method, which is a fusion of fiction with indigestibly and irreducibly nonfictional elements.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The days at the fictional Oak Canyon Ranch Retreat in the nonfictional Agoura Hills are loaded with incident — the retreat itself is essentially sleepaway camp, including pool time, games, a cookout, a talent show — and disasters.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Factual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/factual. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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