fictional
adjective
fic·tion·al
ˈfik-sh(ə-)nəl 
: of, relating to, characterized by, or occurring in fiction : invented by the imagination
a fictional story/character
fictional dialogue
Over the past 15 years, Noble has created a fantastical, awe-inspiring fictional city called Nobson Newtown, which he renders in painstakingly detailed pencil drawings …—
Steve Rose
Steve RoseThere are several surprises about stories. The first is that we spend a great deal of time in fictional worlds, whether in daydreams, novels, confabulations or life narratives. When all is tallied up, the decades we spend in the realm of fantasy outstrip the time we spend in the real world.—David Eagleman
David EaglemanBesides scholarly writings and cultural criticism, he's turned out a fictional mystery series starring Edgar Allan Poe …—Edward Lewine
Edward Lewine
fictionally
adverb
… a film that documents the history of space science and fictionally portrays a journey to the moon …
—Lynn Baker et al.
Lynn Baker et al.
Examples of fictional in a Sentence
the events in the horror movie seemed so real to some fans that they could not believe that the whole thing was fictional
Recent Examples on the Web
The scope of Huntrix’s fictional audience is emphasized through overhead shots of massive arena concerts, and made more personal by close-ups of the eclectic men, women, and children united through their commitment.
—Yvonne Kim, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
The exact citation reportedly appears in a University of Victoria style guide, a document that teaches students how to format references using fictional examples.
—ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Never follow your boyfriend to college, especially a seemingly mediocre college, as Belly does with Jeremiah to the fictional Finch.
—Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
Dynasty is a bold, fictional, political drama that follows the central character played by Raveena Tandon, the daughter of India’s Prime Minister, who is thrust into power after his sudden death.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fictional
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.
Yvonne Kim, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
The exact citation reportedly appears in a University of Victoria style guide, a document that teaches students how to format references using fictional examples.
—ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
Never follow your boyfriend to college, especially a seemingly mediocre college, as Belly does with Jeremiah to the fictional Finch.
—Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
Dynasty is a bold, fictional, political drama that follows the central character played by Raveena Tandon, the daughter of India’s Prime Minister, who is thrust into power after his sudden death.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fictional
Cite this Entry
“Fictional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fictional. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share