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
Though the film’s primary love story is between the cellmates, there are also the relationships playing out in the fictional movie musical set within the movie, which stars Lopez as an actress playing both the unlucky-in-love heroine and the diabolical Spider Woman of the title.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
While the Duchess title certainly isn’t fictional, Meghan’s assumption of relevance clearly is.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
For cinephiles, this feature, shot on 16-millimeter film, will likely feel like a successor to John Waters’ dynasty of filth, down to its setting in the fictional urban sprawl of Trashtown.
—Elaina Patton, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
Loosely based on the life of ping-pong great Marty Reisman, the film stars Timothée Chalamet as the fictional Marty Mauser, a table tennis wiz coming up in 1950s New York City with the hyper-determination to become a world champion.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fictional
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Jenelle Riley, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
While the Duchess title certainly isn’t fictional, Meghan’s assumption of relevance clearly is.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
For cinephiles, this feature, shot on 16-millimeter film, will likely feel like a successor to John Waters’ dynasty of filth, down to its setting in the fictional urban sprawl of Trashtown.
—Elaina Patton, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
Loosely based on the life of ping-pong great Marty Reisman, the film stars Timothée Chalamet as the fictional Marty Mauser, a table tennis wiz coming up in 1950s New York City with the hyper-determination to become a world champion.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2025.
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