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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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

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 10 Nov. 2026.

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