FICTIONAL Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

fictional

adjective

ˈfik-shnəl

Definition of fictional

as in fictitious

not real and existing only in the imagination the events in the horror movie seemed so real to some fans that they could not believe that the whole thing was fictional

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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 fictional That was followed by quirky network sitcom New Girl, Elizabeth Holmes fictional bio-series The Dropout, and pitch-black comedy Dying for Sex. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026 The fictional Ignatius Nobel, for whom the prize is named, is claimed to be a coinventor of soda pop. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026 The city will comprise of exhibitions, talks, workshops, food, and more shared cultural experiences and is inspired by the fictional town of Macondo from Gabriel García Márquez’s classic novel One Hundred Years of Solitude. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026 Among a group of fresh titles on the platform is the sequel of A Different World, following beloved characters Whitley and Dwayne’s daughter Deborah at the same fictional HBCU, Hillman College. — Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fictional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fictional

Adjective

The April indictment accused the organization of secretly funneling millions of dollars in donor funds to informants embedded in violent extremist movements, using bank accounts opened for fictitious companies.

— Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
The inaugural Ig Nobel Prize ceremony honored three fictitious achievers; all recipients in subsequent years (barring a 1994 award based on inaccurate reporting) have been real people.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of fictitious

Adjective

Morris’s book focuses only on the representation of real animals; cataloguing mythic and hybrid creatures would take another volume entirely.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Equally jubilant and terrifying, his size brings both John and Jim Ross to this mythic quality.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of mythical

Adjective

And this year’s menu reflects some through-the-years favorites, including some that have been re-imagined.

— Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Excess doorways were removed and replaced with new casework—the removal of some doorways allowed some spaces to be re-imagined, creating reading nooks or quiet collaboration spaces.

— Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of imagined

Browse Nearby Words

fiction

fictional

fictionalized

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“Fictional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fictional. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of fictional

adjective

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