MATTER-OF-FACT Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

matter-of-fact

adjective

ˌma-tər-ə(v)-ˈfakt

Definition of matter-of-fact

as in factual

restricted to or based on fact a matter-of-fact recitation of the events of the last week

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 matter-of-fact Herzog’s matter-of-fact filming style (which includes some long takes and awkward pans) has little evocative power. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026 Sarah Pidgeon has a knack for wearing elevated essentials in a matter-of-fact way. — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 20 July 2026 At its center was Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor), a man perpetually resisting the changing times who provocatively expressed his old-school views through blunt, matter-of-fact bigotry. — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 12 July 2026 So the visual language should also feel matter-of-fact and grounded in some way. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for matter-of-fact

Recent Examples of Synonyms for matter-of-fact

Adjective

The findings could give lawmakers a factual basis to demand answers and intensify scrutiny of whether the administration misled the court.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Lower costs and safety measures Tencent has also worked to reduce factual errors when Hy4 retrieves information.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of factual

Adjective

But Deann Mitchell, chair for the Johnson County Democratic Party, said years of strategizing campaigns and recruiting pragmatic leaders to represent the party led to the historic election night.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026
And there’s Marian, ever in search of an appropriate husband yet perpetually turning people down for reasons that make zero pragmatic or even emotional sense.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of pragmatic

Adjective

OpenAI compared the 948 vulnerabilities with historical Linux kernel bug bounty payouts from Pwn2Own and TyphoonPWN.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
However, historical performance serves only as a benchmark, and whether equities repeat this pattern remains to be seen.

— , CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of historical

Adjective

Hoyer will be under the gun again to make the Cubs a realistic championship contender, but apparently only from fans since Chairman Tom Ricketts appears satisfied with the status quo.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Someone pursuing a major objective must define what completion requires, identify deliverables, determine dependencies, estimate resources, build a realistic schedule and monitor progress.

— Desiree’ Stapleton, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of realistic

Adjective

The color of the ocean is a literal reflection of what’s in it — from microscopic plant-like organisms called phytoplankton to marine debris.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
This giant stardust cloud acted like a literal screen, blocking a substantial portion of the star's light from our viewpoint.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of literal

Adjective

Maxwell also highlighted that the aircraft is being designed around the practical requirements of cargo and logistics operators.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
In the 1940s haute couture status brought practical advantages, but as postwar shortages eased in the early 1950s, those benefits diminished.

— Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of practical

Adjective

Scalia spoke for a 7-2 majority that rejected an Arizona law that required voters to show documentary proof of their citizenship when registering to vote.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
There was limited documentary evidence of Diamantis’ attempt to extort payoffs from Roy and CAP, the prosecutors said, and without her cooperation and testimony, conviction on those counts would have been difficult.

— Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of documentary

Adjective

The backstory Kromo is the first hotel in Thailand under the Curio Collection by Hilton, a brand known for its independent boutique hotels that stay true to their local identity.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
Gentile’s feature directorial debut, American Murderer, was a true-crime thriller starring Tom Pelphrey, Ryan Phillippe, Idina Menzel, and Jacki Weaver.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026