as in fictitious
not real and existing only in the imagination
the events in the horror movie seemed so real to some fans that they could not believe that the whole thing was fictional
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 fictional
The ensemble comedy followed goings on at a fictional Parisian talent agency called ASK.
—
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
There are thick gold curtains, a plush white sofa, a potted palm and ivy (both fake), and a pair of wicker chairs, topped with jaunty illustrations of fictional lovers Jack and Rose.
—Laura Bannister, Curbed, 5 Sep. 2025
The film stages its riot of activity as hard-nosed honesty, but its portrait is ultimately as ginned-up and inexact as the fictional news broadcast’s lurid prying.
—Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Wallpaper is one of the most low-lift ways to make a room feel instantly cozy, like something out of a fictional bed-and-breakfast inn with four-poster beds.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fictional
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
There are thick gold curtains, a plush white sofa, a potted palm and ivy (both fake), and a pair of wicker chairs, topped with jaunty illustrations of fictional lovers Jack and Rose.
—Laura Bannister, Curbed, 5 Sep. 2025
The film stages its riot of activity as hard-nosed honesty, but its portrait is ultimately as ginned-up and inexact as the fictional news broadcast’s lurid prying.
—Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Wallpaper is one of the most low-lift ways to make a room feel instantly cozy, like something out of a fictional bed-and-breakfast inn with four-poster beds.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fictional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fictional
Adjective
-
As Newton soon learned, there is a long runway between playing a fictitious, Regency-era ladies’ man and becoming one of the most recognizable designers in pop culture.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vogue,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The film is set in New Mexico, in the fictitious title town—population of two thousand four hundred and thirty-five, according to a road sign—where the election year sees the mayor also up for reëlection.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Steve Young lifts his arm, holding an imaginary football, preparing to throw.—
Seth Wickersham,
The Atlantic,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Moreover, her five-letter titles refer to satellite navigation waypoints and fixes for aircraft flying in clouds or at night, that offer passage to imaginary locations defined by the interception of magnetic vectors drawn from the earth’s poles.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Over at Metropolitan State University, the on-campus gallery is presenting works from five Twin Cities Latino artists working across paintings, puppetry, photography and more focused on bestiarios, or fantastical, mythical beasts.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Renewal Through Setback Erik Marthon Olsen of Laerdal Invest chose the phoenix, the mythical bird that rises from its own ashes.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fictional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fictional. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share