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
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
Recently, this sacrament has garnered nonfictional attention.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
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
Recently, this sacrament has garnered nonfictional attention.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonfictional
Adjective
-
That historical egotism fuelled their headiest ambitions.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Over the next 50 years, King authored more than 1,020 decisions and sentenced more than 6,000 defendants, according to historical archives.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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Yet neither approach had any factual basis, and any success either group had was likely due to the placebo effect—merely giving a patient special attention and the hope of a cure can be healing in itself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
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Some complaints derive from the film brushing aside many of the late King of Pop’s controversies, while others criticize the factual problems of Michael’s life and career, including missing family members.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Olivia Wilde’s buzzy comedy The Invite and Marc by Sofia, the first documentary feature from Sofia Coppola, are among the titles that will receive UK Premieres as part of the screen programme at this year’s SXSW London festival.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
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The documentary categories are a lot more cut and dry.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The most literal allusion to A24’s core business is a small red tub of popcorn for the table.—
Julian Sancton,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
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Lippes’ fall 2026 collection drew from vintage automobiles, with the designer telling WWD that the references came through in color, texture and slick fabrics rather than literal car motifs.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonfictional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonfictional. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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