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
Baluch and Robinson, who were both assigned to investigate the University of California system for anti-Semitism in hiring, recalled an intense political push to make progress on a probe with, in their view, little factual basis—a push that seemed to be coming from outside the division.
—
Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
Devoid of a factual baseline, individuals habitually absorb a toxic narrative regarding themselves.
—Lucy Jones
april 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
The bank said that after both sides exchanged evidence, there were no important factual disputes left that would require a jury to decide.
—Chase Jordan
april 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
The study identified 85 percent of MSNBC’s programming as commentary or opinion and only 15 percent being factual reporting, on which the network spent much less than its two competitors.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for factual
Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
Devoid of a factual baseline, individuals habitually absorb a toxic narrative regarding themselves.
—Lucy Jones
april 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
The bank said that after both sides exchanged evidence, there were no important factual disputes left that would require a jury to decide.
—Chase Jordan
april 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
The study identified 85 percent of MSNBC’s programming as commentary or opinion and only 15 percent being factual reporting, on which the network spent much less than its two competitors.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for factual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for factual
Adjective
-
Students walk past paintings of historical scenes that include Betsy Ross sewing an American flag and down hallways lined with portraits of the Founding Fathers.—
Lauren Lumpkin,
Washington Post,
20 Apr. 2026
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As the study authors stated, the historical sources on the Roman Empire typically don’t include information about the provinces far from the capital.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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It was found [that] the actual tumor was pretty small.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
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The video, which was allegedly posted by an enigmatic pro-Iranian group, claims the embassy was the target, but doesn’t show any actual attack.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Alongside the Cannes Docs selection, Circle also revealed Circle Digital Empowerment, an online series led by industry practitioners, aimed at preparing its community for the technological changes reshaping the documentary landscape.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
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The American Cinematheque’s This Is Not a Fiction festival, which kicks off this week in Los Angeles, has emerged as something truly special in the documentary exhibition space.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In other words, these programs offer actresses real opportunities as well as scenes in which they’re seated at their dressing tables putting on diamond earrings while coping with a situation involving a DNA test.—
Libby Gelman-Waxner,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2026
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Each has hit a real scoring rhythm when their teams need them most.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The title refers to an Islamic belief of a narrow path over hell that must be crossed to reach paradise, and the film slowly makes that image feel literal.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
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The idea underpinning this film is that when two friends get together, there are both literal and figurative eruptions.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Biscuits, waffles, pancakes and eggs — basically, all your breakfast dreams come true — plus classic diner lunches and home-style dinner staples are coming up fast at a James Beard Award semifinalist’s new restaurant in where Plaza Midwood and Plaza Shamrock meet.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
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That’s true, said one former counterterrorism official with direct knowledge of the intelligence involved, but there was more to the story.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Pee-Wee as Himself, the 2025 Emmy award winner for best documentary or nonfictional special, is also among the nominees.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Factual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/factual. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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