1
as in factual
restricted to or based on fact
a matter-of-fact recitation of the events of the last week
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pragmatic
willing to see things as they really are and deal with them sensibly
a matter-of-fact woman who didn't worry about "what ifs"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of matter-of-fact
In one picture, a slim teen-ager reaches over tentatively, tenderly, to peel a bandage off another boy’s bare thigh, a moment both touching and wonderfully matter-of-fact.
—
Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
It was cataloged with a brief, matter-of-fact description, and for decades, its importance went entirely overlooked.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Potentially a matter-of-fact statement, but the meaning was lost to thousands of viewers looking in live.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Judge Gregory Carro, matter-of-fact in his decision after a lengthy discussion with prosecutors and defense lawyers at the bench, said the state trial could be delayed until Sept 8 if an appeal delays the federal trial.
—Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matter-of-fact
Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
It was cataloged with a brief, matter-of-fact description, and for decades, its importance went entirely overlooked.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Potentially a matter-of-fact statement, but the meaning was lost to thousands of viewers looking in live.
—Devon Henderson, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Judge Gregory Carro, matter-of-fact in his decision after a lengthy discussion with prosecutors and defense lawyers at the bench, said the state trial could be delayed until Sept 8 if an appeal delays the federal trial.
—Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matter-of-fact
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matter-of-fact
Adjective
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As well as the Crystal Nymphs, there is a competition for drama series and factual productions, which vie for the coveted Golden Nymphs.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2026
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Baluch and Robinson, who were both assigned to investigate the University of California system for anti-Semitism in hiring, recalled an intense political push to make progress on a probe with, in their view, little factual basis—a push that seemed to be coming from outside the division.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Trotsky himself had seen that the pragmatist follower who lacks true belief usually ends up on the other side; a passionate believer who lacks pragmatic planning skills usually ends up dead.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
According to the official, Vance is pragmatic but not naive.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Passover is not about a historical event but about a metaphoric explication of an ideal.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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And there are historical parallels.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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About 20 international teams with gather at the Swiss Army’s training area, where their robots will be pushed through extreme terrain and realistic military scenarios at one of Europe’s most demanding field trials for unmanned systems.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Apr. 2026
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Caravaggio is best known for dramatic and realistic paintings, often from the Bible, and infused with contrasting light and shadow.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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For example, there’s quite a bit of autopsy footage in Faces of Death — lots of literal getting under the skin, and also, in one of the movie’s more stomach-turning moments, having skin peeled back off a skull.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
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On Thursday, the host of the reality competition show slipped into a silver minidress that looked like it was made of literal confetti.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The dimness of the shuttle gallery also assists in the immersive fantasy, both as an artistic choice and a practical one due to the shuttle’s sensitivity to light.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
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The organization says death doulas offer psychosocial, emotional, spiritual and practical care.—
Francie Ebert,
NBC news,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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According to our writers and editors, these are some of the best ones—seven documentaries that even the most documentary-averse can enjoy.—
Stephanie Bai,
The Atlantic,
12 Apr. 2026
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The YouTube creator additionally confirmed that Biden would be hosting post-show Q&A sessions after documentary screenings in the aforementioned cities.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest are also set to reprise their roles as the eclectic aunts who raised the Owens sisters, always encouraging them to embrace their true magical selves.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
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Aid groups say the true toll could be much higher as access to areas of fighting across the vast country remains limited.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matter-of-fact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matter-of-fact. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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