FICTIVE Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

fictive

adjective

Definition of fictive

as in illusory

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 fictive Another, almost entirely fictive identity would afford him freedom and adulation. — David Treuer, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026 By creating space for these histories in her fictive realm, Pritam strove to remember those on the periphery. — JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025 The history bestows legitimacy, which is destabilized because so much of the history is fictive. — Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 Populism ignores very real and differentiated social problems and cuts across them with a fictive target, a target that simultaneously satisfies all, and none, of these problems. — Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fictive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fictive

Adjective

Thomas drives away with a limp, malfunctioning Vision next to him, and an illusory, wisecracking Ultron in the back seat.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Yet these promises of a self-running state are illusory, because AI is never truly autonomous.

— Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of illusory

Adjective

The hallucinatory cinematography and imposing Victorian mansion in which much of the story unfolds provide an abundance of atmosphere.

— Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Pollard has also been immersed in surrealism and dada, fitting genres for a musician and visual artist who has a knack for bending words and images to his will — either via hallucinatory lyrics or collages that mesh realms both physical and meta.

— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of hallucinatory

Adjective

The middle stretch has a concocted outdoor chase sequence that feels like a clumsy campground slasher.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
On the eve of our nation’s Independence Day, Americans should be deeply concerned by the misuse of government power against an ordinary citizen based on a concocted narrative.

— Jasmine Baehr , Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of concocted

Adjective

This isn’t callousness or delusive optimism but, rather, a rebellion against the suffocating expectation that the elderly have foreclosed the possibility of joy.

— Hillary Kelly, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2024
To separate art from its historical framework is futile, and to reject it in an effort to censor past violence is a delusive act of virtue signaling.

— WSJ, WSJ, 5 July 2022

Definition of delusive

Adjective

Supporters say licensing will give California the authority to act on any complaints, and to investigate and penalize companies for unfair or deceptive practices.

— Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Esparza pushed back against the claim that the group was being deceptive.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of deceptive

Adjective

This demonstrates genuine curiosity and a commitment to learning, fostering trust more effectively than feigned expertise.

— Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
During her feigned pregnancy, Stephanie Ott, one of Griffin’s friends who had grown suspicious of Parker, called the clinic to ask about her.

— KC Baker, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026

Definition of feigned

Browse Nearby Words

fictitiousness

fictive

fiddle

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fictive. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of fictive

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Pyrrhic

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes