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
The system uses information from various sources, which include websites, media articles, factual references, visual data, and platform signals to build its understanding of a brand or person.
—
Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Jeff Pope’s latest BBC factual drama is about the tragic death of Sarah Everard, who was killed by a serving policeman in London in 2021.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
The factual basis for broader perceptions of gay prosperity is mixed.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Plimsoll Productions, part of ITV Studios, has hired executive producer Paul Wright, who will develop live programming across all genres, including adventure, factual entertainment, and natural history.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for factual
Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Jeff Pope’s latest BBC factual drama is about the tragic death of Sarah Everard, who was killed by a serving policeman in London in 2021.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
The factual basis for broader perceptions of gay prosperity is mixed.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Plimsoll Productions, part of ITV Studios, has hired executive producer Paul Wright, who will develop live programming across all genres, including adventure, factual entertainment, and natural history.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for factual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for factual
Adjective
-
Online and in podcasts, historical revisionism thrived.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Still, Platner will have to overcome historical precedent to beat Mills.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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With modern mattresses, this number is dictated more by the signs of wear and tear than the actual passage of time.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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Endowed not only with a privileged birthright but—unlike the actual princes over in England, who had weak chins and went bald young—the physical stature to match?—
Jeffrey Eugenides,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Below, the biggest revelations from the documentary episode of the night that almost killed Odom.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2026
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This unique documentary-comedy hybrid is executive produced by Jessica Alba and stars Keyla Monterroso Mejia (The Studio, Curb Your Enthusiasm).—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Congress rarely manages to assemble bipartisan housing legislation of any real ambition, which makes the Senate’s recent passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act a remarkable feat.—
Brad Hargreaves,
Washington Post,
7 Apr. 2026
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On the weekends, there are pony rides outside the Cinema dei Piccoli, but the real highlight is the San Carlino theater on Viale dei Bambini—which literally translates to 'Kids' Street'—where there’s an ever-changing roster of Italian puppet shows.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Marcet’s intention was certainly not to disturb the religious faith of her young readers, most of whom would have been raised on a literal understanding of the biblical creation story.—
Kathryn Hughes,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Robber Robber don’t relive their apartment fire in literal terms on the album or dramatize the months spent living out of suitcases.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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According to a Chicago Blackhawks team source, those reports — that the PWHL would be coming to the Blackhawks’ facility — are not true.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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In fairness to Brown, this is true.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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 10 Apr. 2026.
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