fiction

noun

ˈfik-shən How to pronounce fiction (audio)
Definition of fictionnext
as in fantasy
something that is the product of the imagination most stories about famous outlaws of the Old West are fictions that have little or nothing to do with fact

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fiction Our mission is to support readers and writers of all ages and histories, and to build community through fiction. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 That Tariq’s exquisite pulp fiction never takes its eyes off the prize in terms of who Latif is, his loss, and his beliefs is what makes his genre mash-up so satisfying, so stunning, such a complete rush. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026 In fiction, spoiler alerts exist to protect the reader experience, premised on the idea that knowing a story’s outcome will reduce momentum and suspense. — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 During her time at Esquire, the publication won the National Magazine Award for fiction. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fiction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fiction
  1. fantasy
  2. tale
  3. story
  4. novel
  5. fabrication
  6. fable
  7. invention
  8. figment
Noun
  • The Ministry of Time is one of the more anticipated BBC fantasy series currently in the works.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
  • His search gradually shifts from extraterrestrial fantasies toward the invisible outsiders living among us on Earth.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of fantasy
Noun
  • Like Primetime, this survival tale about a Special Forces veteran and his combat dog who are stranded in the Alaskan wilderness, sells itself upon viewing.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Either way, The Ministry is a perfectly decent action movie based on the real-life tale of a group of World War II commandos on a covert submarine-sabotage mission.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of tale
Noun
  • There was a period where airspace was closed in the Gulf after the Iran conflict began, and then questions about whether the region’s growth story would be interrupted.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In the end, creation stories feels a bit like an internal pep talk for which an audience didn’t necessarily need to be present.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of story
Noun
  • As a filmed version of John Steinbeck‘s classic novel, however, Kazan’s East of Eden borders on dreadful.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Cathy’s treatment of Adam isn’t rooted in innate wickedness, as in Steinbeck’s novel, but personal experience.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of novel
Noun
  • Researchers in the United States are working with partners from industry to develop new EUV lithography materials that will enable the fabrication of smaller, faster, higher-density chips at the scale of just a few atoms.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Farley said some battery-equipment maintenance is closer to work found in semiconductor fabrication than in a traditional auto plant.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of fabrication
Noun
  • Ajon [Singh] talked a lot about that fable of the two wolves.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Is the morality fable at the end an allegory of purgatory or hell?
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of fable
Noun
  • Then, after the invention of social media, the photos popped up anywhere and everywhere.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
  • In time, Nocera hopes his inventions will allow individuals and companies alike to cut their carbon footprint, while also providing new clean energy sources.
    — Abraham Swee, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of invention
Noun
  • Louise — the presence of her absence — hovers over the wintry landscapes like a figment of loss and guilt.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Even his beloved daughter exists as a figment of his imagination.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of figment

Browse Nearby Words

fictile
fiction
fictional
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fiction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fiction. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fiction

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fiction

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