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

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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 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 Now, once matter-of-fact lessons have become tense. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 May 2026 For all the hype around his improvement — albeit three months out from the regular season — Burden kept things matter-of-fact after practice. — Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for matter-of-fact

Recent Examples of Synonyms for matter-of-fact

Adjective

There are disputes over everything from factual accuracy to legal pitfalls to punctuation.

— Mike Hogan, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
For example, frameworks like the SBI Model (Situation-Behavior-Impact) from the Center for Creative Leadership promote a clear, three-step methodology that reduces defensiveness by keeping feedback factual.

— Maren Perry, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of factual

Adjective

What sort of pragmatic things can a caucus accomplish in this case?

— Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
But few Fascists were ever formally prosecuted for their crimes, and a general amnesty (granted by Palmiro Togliatti, the pragmatic head of the Italian Communist Party) was announced in 1946.

— Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of pragmatic

Adjective

As the name reflected, the museum contained duelling missions from the start, showcasing American technological advances and telling a more general historical story.

— Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2026
Artists from various musical genres are coming together to take part in a new music project inspired by the series The Chosen, a historical drama based on the life and ministry of Jesus.

— Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of historical

Adjective

The center will test uncrewed platforms under realistic operational conditions and threats, including degraded or denied communication environments.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
But having realistic expectations—and knowing things will not go according to plan—is half the battle.

— Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of realistic

Adjective

As Batiba, Slate’s borderline baby voice walks a nimble line between seductive and menacing, but Manny Jacinto is the real scene-stealer as a literal baby demon.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
This is our introduction to He and She, two clownish, pugilistic lovers who are locked in a war of words, even as a literal war rages outside.

— Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of literal

Adjective

Gemini May 21 – June 20 A creative idea may attract more enthusiasm than practical support.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Sep. 2026
In this final stretch, Ryan said, one of the biggest practical challenges has been competing with data centers for skilled union electricians, about 200 of whom are working on the site today.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of practical

Adjective

Over five days, the festival seeks to offer audiences the opportunity to discover extraordinary films, meet filmmakers, and engage with the people shaping the documentary landscape today.

— Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 28 Sep. 2026
The fest’s feature film competition jury will be presided over by James Bond director Cary Joji Fukunaga, while filmmaker Sine Plambech will head up the documentary competition jury.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of documentary

Adjective

In a world where true-crime shows of both the fictional and nonfictional variety run rampant on our screens, that’s probably not a bad corporate strategy.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
In Cuba, for instance, the single format is dominant, and very few artists have dared to create a true concept album.

— Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026