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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of factual
But that simply doesn’t hold up under factual examination.
—
Joanne Frederick, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025
This claim is fundamentally factual because the Iranian regime’s legitimacy rests with advancing a revolutionary foreign policy irreconcilable with the very concept of a Jewish state existing in Muslim lands.
—Dr. Robert G. Rabil, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025
This expansive series was edited by Paul E. Blackwood, a scientist and educator with the US Office of Education, who also wrote government bulletins and surveys on science education research
As interest in children’s science books grew, many educators stressed the importance of factual accuracy.
—Jessica George, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2025
Limited training data, large language model design and a lack of real-world experience can create responses that meet the best probable response instead of factual answers.
—Gaurav Basra, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for factual
Joanne Frederick, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025
This claim is fundamentally factual because the Iranian regime’s legitimacy rests with advancing a revolutionary foreign policy irreconcilable with the very concept of a Jewish state existing in Muslim lands.
—Dr. Robert G. Rabil, Sun Sentinel, 23 June 2025
This expansive series was edited by Paul E. Blackwood, a scientist and educator with the US Office of Education, who also wrote government bulletins and surveys on science education research
As interest in children’s science books grew, many educators stressed the importance of factual accuracy.
—Jessica George, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2025
Limited training data, large language model design and a lack of real-world experience can create responses that meet the best probable response instead of factual answers.
—Gaurav Basra, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for factual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for factual
Adjective
-
Kartal, who was born in 2001, was wearing a boxy outfit inspired by the nineties, one of her favorite historical periods.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
12 July 2025
-
Nearly every episode of this podcast from the Washington Post is under 10 minutes, delivering a digestible overview of an obscure or long-forgotten historical episode.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
The actual production of the show is also driving an economic boom.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
10 July 2025
-
If so, what happens to the role of fundamentals, the actual performance and value of companies, in determining prices?—
Spriha Srivastava,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Lauded as ‘unflinching’, the documentary discussion is a timely addition.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
10 July 2025
-
For the first time this year, the Humanitas Prizes will include two awards in the documentary category instead of one (one to a documentary feature and another for docuseries episode), making for ten Humanitas Prizes at the Humanitas Prizes Awards Show & Toast.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
When marriages seemed to fail, there was no real option to divorce.—
Ann Foster,
JSTOR Daily,
9 July 2025
-
The only thing more impressive is the cast's ability to maintain real, long-term relationships despite spending nearly two decades playing some of the most awful characters on TV.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
One boss fight in particular should’ve been a greater challenge, but between DK and Pauline dropping literal bombs on the foe, the encounter was over in moments.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
-
Farming is complex, Burnett says, because inventory (like livestock) has a literal lifecycle—it is born, grows, and dies.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
What’s the difference between something being emotionally true and factually true, and what should be valued more?—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
-
In true underworld fashion, García tried to shield himself from the fallout.—
Gina Montaner,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Factual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/factual. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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