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
Overall, responses were 18% less likely to contain factual mistakes.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
Ahead of the Kenton County trial, Snow's attorneys sought separate trials for each woman’s case, citing factual differences.
—Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2026
When Disney acquired 21st Century Fox in 2019, Brussels approved the transaction only after Disney agreed to divest several European factual channels, including History and Lifetime, which overlapped with Fox’s National Geographic services in certain territories.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026
While the broader market grapples with streamer and pay-TV budget cuts, factual distributors are pivoting toward public broadcasters and international partnerships to keep projects viable.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for factual
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
Ahead of the Kenton County trial, Snow's attorneys sought separate trials for each woman’s case, citing factual differences.
—Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2026
When Disney acquired 21st Century Fox in 2019, Brussels approved the transaction only after Disney agreed to divest several European factual channels, including History and Lifetime, which overlapped with Fox’s National Geographic services in certain territories.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026
While the broader market grapples with streamer and pay-TV budget cuts, factual distributors are pivoting toward public broadcasters and international partnerships to keep projects viable.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for factual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for factual
Adjective
-
The president is fighting against historical headwinds for the party in power and, like President Joe Biden before him, is navigating voter anxiety about the cost of living in America.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The four-story, brick-faced building was constructed in 1926 as the Hamline Hotel and later renamed the Kimball Hotel, which holds at least a small place in the historical run-up to the civil rights era.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
How’s the actual beach stuff—sand and surf?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
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While most of the other categories honor actual work accomplished — an actor who has given a performance, an editor who has cut scenes together, a writer who has penned a script — this new award seeks to honor those who make suggestions.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Jordana Berg, the editor, who also worked on Apocalypse in the Tropics, is one of the most talented editors in the documentary world.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
-
There are documentary film premieres with Noah Kahan, Lainey Wilson, Los Lobos.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But the real beauty here is that there isn’t much to do beyond taking a dip in the phenomenal infinity pool, followed by a nap.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
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From Wednesday on, the real heat wave begins to take a foothold with highs for many areas getting up into the 80s to finish the week.—
Dave Aguilera,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Moments of narration and visual maximalism — characters floating, feelings made literal — push the film into more experimental territory, while appearances from Rubén Blades and Cheech Marin add cultural texture.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Of course, the eat-the-rich satire of Ready or Not 2 is about burning it all down — just as Grace did in a literal sense in the first movie.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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How to Spot the Next One Before sharing a story that sounds too absurd to be true, check the source page.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
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That’s particularly true in the world of elite prep schools, which sometimes cost nearly $100,000 per year and often give athletic aid.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Significant experiment The effort is part of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, a nonfictional experiment with detectors that will be immersed in huge baths of cryogenic liquid argon, which is going the opposite direction — down.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Jan. 2026
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But what was more interesting to me are those who aren’t fantasizing about being in a fictional world, but who are fantasizing about being a different reader, in a more secure nonfictional world.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Factual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/factual. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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