factual
adjective
fac·tu·al
ˈfak-chə-wəl 
-chəl,
-chü-əl,
ˈfaksh-wəl
1
: of or relating to facts
a factual error
the factual aspects of the case
2
: restricted to or based on fact
a factual statement
She tried to separate what is factual from what is not.
factualness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of factual in a Sentence
That statement is not factual.
a report filled with factual errors
the factual aspects of the case
Recent Examples on the Web
But a federal appeals court ruled against California last November, concluding such a warning wasn’t factual.
—
Hannah Fingerhut, Fortune Europe, 16 Apr. 2024
During the plea hearing, the judge walked Brena through the charge’s factual basis, making sure Brena understood and admitted each element.
—Ken Armstrong, ProPublica, 12 Apr. 2024
Craig opined that the article was an accurate and factual description of life at the Navy’s Top Gun school and the capabilities of fighter aircraft — thereby undermining its protection as a creative work.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
The settlement came after an independent investigation commissioned by Pinal County found Cavanaugh made complaints of employee quid pro quo in the Pinal County Attorney's Office without any factual basis.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2024
More specifically, Fink makes two huge factual mistakes and creates one giant confusion in his letter.
—Randi Weingarten, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, who oversaw management of the river under President Clinton, said the findings will help provide a solid factual base for discussions about the river’s future.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
While discussions about reforming Social Security and retirement savings are necessary, they must be grounded in factual analysis and a clear understanding of the implications for individuals and the economy.
—Brian Menickella, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
His argument is not entirely factual: crime affects South Africans from all walks of life, not just those earning a comfortable living.
—David McKenzie, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
Hannah Fingerhut, Fortune Europe, 16 Apr. 2024
During the plea hearing, the judge walked Brena through the charge’s factual basis, making sure Brena understood and admitted each element.
—Ken Armstrong, ProPublica, 12 Apr. 2024
Craig opined that the article was an accurate and factual description of life at the Navy’s Top Gun school and the capabilities of fighter aircraft — thereby undermining its protection as a creative work.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
The settlement came after an independent investigation commissioned by Pinal County found Cavanaugh made complaints of employee quid pro quo in the Pinal County Attorney's Office without any factual basis.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2024
More specifically, Fink makes two huge factual mistakes and creates one giant confusion in his letter.
—Randi Weingarten, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, who oversaw management of the river under President Clinton, said the findings will help provide a solid factual base for discussions about the river’s future.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
While discussions about reforming Social Security and retirement savings are necessary, they must be grounded in factual analysis and a clear understanding of the implications for individuals and the economy.
—Brian Menickella, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
His argument is not entirely factual: crime affects South Africans from all walks of life, not just those earning a comfortable living.
—David McKenzie, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'factual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near factual
Cite this Entry
“Factual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/factual. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
factual
adjective
fac·tu·al
ˈfak-chə(-wə)l
ˈfaksh-wəl
1
: of or relating to facts
a factual error
2
: restricted to or based on fact
a factual statement
Legal Definition
factual
adjective
fac·tu·al
ˈfak-chə-wəl
1
: of or relating to facts
factual issues
2
: restricted to or based on fact
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