historical

adjective

hi-ˈstȯr-i-kəl How to pronounce historical (audio)
Definition of historicalnext
as in factual
restricted to or based on fact a historical novel that tells the story of Hannibal's crossing of the Alps through the eyes of a young boy

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 historical This date is favored due to Apple's historical avoidance of the day after Labor Day, a pattern even Bloomberg's Mark Gurman now supports. — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 In recent weeks, ICE arrests at airports have jumped from the historical norm of 10 per week to upwards of 40 per week. — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2026 Moore also recently starred in a wave of television projects, including Apple TV’s adaptation of Stephen King’s Lisey’s Story, the Starz historical drama Mary & George, and the popular Netflix miniseries Sirens. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026 According to the Conservancy, Jeffres said that while salmon are celebrated through public art and traditions in the Pacific Northwest, California has largely lost that connection despite the species’ historical importance. — Nicole Buss august 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for historical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for historical
  1. factual
  2. literal
  3. documentary
  4. true
  5. nonfictional
Adjective
  • The lawsuits involve separate banks, account agreements and factual allegations.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In January, the bank asked the judge to throw out Arbuckle’s claims, arguing that evidence exchanged by both sides showed no key factual disputes requiring a jury to resolve.
    — Chase Jordan July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Definition of factual
Adjective
  • Smoke and its literal chokehold on air quality continue to be the most widespread impact of the ongoing fires.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The film takes cannibalism – rarely broached in Malaysian popular cinema – as both literal premise and social metaphor, training its lens on characters pushed to extremes by poverty and ambition.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of literal
Adjective
  • Our waiter, Juan, was – as all servers at Papi Steak are – quick to illuminate the kaleidoscopic dish with a pocket flashlight, apparently for documentary purposes.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • The driver brings the baby to friends partying in a night club; his quandary yields existential debate in a police station, a portrait of a courthouse’s bureaucratic frenzy, and a heartrending documentary vision of an orphanage.
    — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
Definition of documentary
Adjective
  • Instead, the shoreline is made up of rocky outcroppings, making the pools—and the views—the true focal point.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Thankfully for Chad Gable, his loss came in the match of the year in 2026, and this led to a babyface redemption tour with Chad Gable playing his true self as opposed to a heel luchador.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • Pee-Wee as Himself, the 2025 Emmy award winner for best documentary or nonfictional special, is also among the nominees.
    — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
  • That delirious excess befits the essence of Lapid’s method, which is a fusion of fiction with indigestibly and irreducibly nonfictional elements.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of nonfictional

Browse Nearby Words

historic
historical
histories
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Cite this Entry

“Historical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/historical. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of historical for Spanish Speakers

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