nonfictional

adjective

Definition of nonfictionalnext
as in historical
restricted to or based on fact a nonfictional account of a disastrous ascent of Mount Everest

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 nonfictional In Aaron Sorkin’s new thriller, the fictional Haugen — who, like her nonfictional counterpart, leaks thousands of documents to Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz — habitually dons the accessories. — Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026 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 This is what gives the film its experiential sincerity — the lived perspective of its Ukrainian crew leaving a nonfictional trace across every level of the fiction, something Stever handles with unusual reverence. — Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026 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 The days at the fictional Oak Canyon Ranch Retreat in the nonfictional Agoura Hills are loaded with incident — the retreat itself is essentially sleepaway camp, including pool time, games, a cookout, a talent show — and disasters. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026 Significant experiment The effort is part of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, a nonfictional experiment with detectors that will be immersed in huge baths of cryogenic liquid argon, which is going the opposite direction — down. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026 But what was more interesting to me are those who aren’t fantasizing about being in a fictional world, but who are fantasizing about being a different reader, in a more secure nonfictional world. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonfictional
  1. historical
  2. factual
  3. documentary
  4. literal
Adjective
  • Annals are historical records arranged by year; the clue leverages the entry’s singular form to misdirect us.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Although robust buyer demand briefly drove yields down to session lows following the auction, yield levels above 5% remain substantially higher than the historical norm over the past decade.
    — , CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of historical
Adjective
  • Could that feeling of truth be arrived at via extra-factual means?
    — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The reason for that is the unquenching market need for solid factual projects that can both be popular on linear channels and drive older viewers to streaming services.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of factual
Adjective
  • The documentary jury was comprised of Sine Plambech, director and anthropologist, Alfredo de Juan, cinematographer, Anne Köhncke, producer, Jela Hasler, director, and Nikolas Geyrhalter, director, cinematographer and producer.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of documentary
Adjective
  • The movie ends with Haugen doing a literal fist bump into the air, riding off into the horizon of glorious victory.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The exhibition is full of moments like this, where something familiar about Basquiat suddenly becomes much more literal.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of literal

Browse Nearby Words

nonfeasance
nonfictional
nonfigurative
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonfictional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonfictional. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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