as in historical
restricted to or based on fact
a nonfictional account of a disastrous ascent of Mount Everest
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Recent Examples of nonfictional
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
Recently, this sacrament has garnered nonfictional attention.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
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
Recently, this sacrament has garnered nonfictional attention.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonfictional
Adjective
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Putin thought a window of opportunity had finally emerged, such that in those historical assessments Ukraine will follow from Afghanistan much as Poland in 1939 followed from Munich in 1938.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
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While the property isn’t within walking distance of most historical sites, guests can rent bikes from local vendors (like Bike Nevis) or hire a taxi to get around.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Below, a drill-down on Banijay’s biggest drama plays at the Screenings and a selection of factual shows and formats.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
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However, such information, while factual, is inappropriate for sports commentary due to its length.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While one film uses a documentary style to show artifice, the other uses artificial intelligence to show something viscerally real.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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Under the directive, documentary proof of citizenship would be required to register to vote.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And considering this chic, spring-ready jacket has been on my wishlist for literal months, now might be the time to finally pull the trigger.—
Kaelin Dodge,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
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These stories reveal how movement, both literal and metaphorical, can propel the ongoing work of self-actualization.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonfictional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonfictional. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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