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
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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 court found that the testimony of an animal control officer who seized the horses was unreliable based on conflicting factual statements, according to court records.
—
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2025
His post sparked pushback from critics who say the questions only come from conspiracy theorists and have no factual evidence underlying them.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 10 July 2025
In this climate, professional investigators can serve as a vital line of defense for a variety of businesses, including:
• Attorneys and law firms needing factual evidence to defend or prosecute cases.
—Justin Hodson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
The factual takeaway is that prior S&P 500 returns have averaged to 8.27%.
—Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for factual
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2025
His post sparked pushback from critics who say the questions only come from conspiracy theorists and have no factual evidence underlying them.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 10 July 2025
In this climate, professional investigators can serve as a vital line of defense for a variety of businesses, including:
• Attorneys and law firms needing factual evidence to defend or prosecute cases.
—Justin Hodson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
The factual takeaway is that prior S&P 500 returns have averaged to 8.27%.
—Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for factual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for factual
Adjective
-
This city is surrounded by an array of activities like flea markets, gardens, beautiful mountainous landscapes, old silver mines and remarkable Mexican historical monuments.—
Paula Soria,
AZCentral.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
The market-at-large is expensive by historical metrics.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Advertisement Which was more nerve-wracking, the actual audition or the performance in the movie?—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
15 Aug. 2025
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The actual rich keep finding new places to stash themselves away—on superyachts, in underground bunkers, off the planet altogether—and yet spectacles of wealth are now accessible 24/7 through our devices.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In the run-up to the 2027 Women’s World Cup tournament, Netflix is expected to produce documentary series to spotlight top international players and the global growth of women’s football (known as soccer in North America) overall.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Aug. 2025
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The documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin’s branch in Scranton, Pa., have found new subjects in the offshoot, still set in the world of paper: the eclectic staff of The Truth Teller, a historic Midwestern newspaper in Toledo, Ohio, well past its glory days.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Jo is the real genius of the family: Mycroft to my Sherlock.—
Bluesky Social,
Bluesky Social,
14 Aug. 2025
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That clear difference of opinion represents an opportunity for Putin to portray the Ukrainians and the Europeans – not Russia – as the real obstacle to peace, potentially undermining Trump’s already shaky support for the Ukrainian war effort.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There’s a literal meaning, and then there’s a figurative meaning.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
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Five-time Emmy nominee Connie Britton has a case of imposter syndrome… in the literal sense.—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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These personal histories are brilliantly distilled in his biopic of Japanese terrorist Satoshi Kirishima, who, as one of the country’s most wanted men, successfully evaded capture for nearly 50 years before revealing his true identity on his deathbed.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Aug. 2025
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While some characters like Connie and Bobby literally grow, true to the show’s comedic approach, King of the Hill’s return underscores how whether in real or animated life, some people never change.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Factual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/factual. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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