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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Add in Paul Mescal's solid turn as an absent Bard dad who deals with the loss in his own way, plus a cathartic final act, and director Chloé Zhao's gut-wrenching historical drama has a good chance of placing high on a lot of Oscar voters' lists.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
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The owner of the hoard remains a mystery According to historical records, 24 households were situated on the block where the coins were left.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Whether this internal awareness constitutes the kind of corporate knowledge that supports liability is a central factual question for the jury to decide.—
Carolina Rossini,
The Conversation,
6 Mar. 2026
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Overall, responses were 18% less likely to contain factual mistakes.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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During an excavation of the site, as mandated by the California Environment Quality Act, SFPUC hired a documentary team to capture the findings of Muwekma Ohlone artifacts over two years.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
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Anyone whose citizenship could not be verified would be required to submit documentary proof.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Imagine meeting the love of your life, entering a relationship with them, and then belatedly realizing your literal body rejects the union.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
6 Mar. 2026
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The British singer’s new tour features a dress made of literal receipts that allegedly allude to her breakup with David Harbour.—
Shane O’Neill,
Washington Post,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonfictional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonfictional. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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