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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fictional
Here, a fictional band has been beautifully imagined by author Dawnie Walton—but actual songs could tip this project into the astral plane.
—
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
The Prime series, based on the bestselling novel Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, takes us to idyllic Canada in the fictional Barry’s Bay, where gorgeous lakes and charming homes are the springboard for an unforgettable romance ten years in the making.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 10 June 2026
The verso depicts a fictional Chinatown storefront, home to an art school and a gallery, where a demon-hunter paints pictures identical to Wong’s.
—Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
Game Studio is working on an action role-playing game that brings the fictional video game at the heart of the series to life.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fictional
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
The Prime series, based on the bestselling novel Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, takes us to idyllic Canada in the fictional Barry’s Bay, where gorgeous lakes and charming homes are the springboard for an unforgettable romance ten years in the making.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 10 June 2026
The verso depicts a fictional Chinatown storefront, home to an art school and a gallery, where a demon-hunter paints pictures identical to Wong’s.
—Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
Game Studio is working on an action role-playing game that brings the fictional video game at the heart of the series to life.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fictional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fictional
Adjective
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However, operators often hide behind fictitious or stolen identities and fail to comply with cease-and-desist letters; meanwhile, hosting servers are often untraceable, shielded by anonymization techniques or by being located in countries where legal enforcement is extremely difficult.—
Emma Woollacott,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
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He is charged with one count of unlawful voting by aliens and one count of the procurement, casting, or tabulation of ballots that are known to be materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent under state law.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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Someone needs to tell both Salley and her extraneous E to get the hell off my imaginary husband.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
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Katie Dippold shaped the show from its very beginnings by way of her passion for both horror and comedy, Hiro Murai is a quiet artist who carries a big imaginary stick.—
Stephen Root,
IndieWire,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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The site tells you, in simple terms, whether the dog — or any other animal, real or mythical — makes it out alive.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
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There are also hopper toys that defy the typical ball design in favor of whimsical animals and mythical creatures.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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There are two dogs, for example, in Bartholomeus van Bassen’s painting of an imagined church interior with the tomb of William the Silent (pictured above, 1620).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
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The vivid depiction of the shame and horror attendant on an imagined German invasion promoted conservative military goals.—
Ivan Kreilkamp,
JSTOR Daily,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fictional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fictional. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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