factual

adjective

ˈfak-chə-wəl How to pronounce factual (audio)
Definition of factualnext
1
as in historical
restricted to or based on fact a factual biography of George Washington that scoffs at the story about the cherry tree

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in actual
existing in fact and not merely as a possibility a serious scientist, she is only interested in factual phenomena and lets others speculate about the hypothetical

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 factual The company’s robust kids entertainment division operates as part of its broader South Asian strategy, which also includes factual content through Discovery+ and Discovery Channel, sports programming via Eurosport, and theatrical releases. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025 Fremantle Sports will focus on non-scripted and factual documentaries, alongside new digital formats, working with the entertainment, documentary and drama and film teams. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025 This new business unit will focus on supporting Fremantle’s labels to produce scripted and factual content, will also exploring the development of new cross-platform formats. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025 Indie production powerhouse Fremantle is pushing hard into sports content with the launch of a new division, Fremantle Sports, to focus on non-scripted and factual documentaries, as well as digital formats, in the wide world of sporting competition. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for factual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for factual
  1. historical
  2. actual
  3. documentary
  4. real
  5. literal
  6. true
Adjective
  • Season 3 of Mayfair Witches, starring Alexandra Daddario, will dive deeper into the mythology of witchcraft, introduce new ‘spellbound’ families and feature some of the historical happenings of Salem, the infamous town of witch trials and folklore.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Motion Picture Association, which represents the major film and TV studios, endorsed the bill last year, after allowances were made for recreations of historical figures.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of historical
Adjective
  • Both chambers must approve it before lawmakers can begin building out the legislation with actual policy.
    — Riley Beggin, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
  • While there are no actual doors dividing living spaces in this condo, the arched doorways are covered by thick privacy curtains to cordon each space off from one another.
    — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of actual
Adjective
  • Lavender Men follows last fall’s release of the documentary feature Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln that examined whether the politician may have been gay, with the film being subjected to trolling by Elon Musk and conservative pundits.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Last week, President Trump stepped into the fray on voter ID requirements, issuing an executive order seeking to require documentary proof of citizenship to vote.
    — Julie Bosman, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of documentary
Adjective
  • Following Hailey’s response to the content creator, fans praised the Rhode founder for giving real, relatable feedback.
    — Dayna Haffenden, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Consistency is key: Heintzman recommends dry brushing at least once a week to get real results.
    — Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of real
Adjective
  • Despite being a literal child at the time, Barrymore grew up going to clubs like Studio 54 with her mother and even threw her 10th birthday party at a bar.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The inclusion of Greenland in this narrative may not be literal—but its symbolic presence lingers.
    — Stephan Rabimov, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of literal
Adjective
  • Arguing that the Smithsonian somehow misleads people, somehow is unpatriotic, somehow is saying things that are not true.
    — Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The same is true for picking up concertgoers after the show.
    — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of true

Browse Nearby Words

facts
factual
factuality
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Factual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/factual. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on factual

Nglish: Translation of factual for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All