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.
Synonyms of fictional
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
Straight out of an interstellar sci-fi reverie, the six-suite Echo camp fuses fictional space commander-style architecture with astro-chic interiors for up to 12 guests.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
At points the historical record is more fantastical than Vidal’s fictional retelling.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
The fictional host was fashioned largely after Fox News blowhard Bill O’Reilly.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
And although the team draws inspiration from Lasso’s fictional world, the Bears have used it to make program history in a reality.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fictional
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
At points the historical record is more fantastical than Vidal’s fictional retelling.
—Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
The fictional host was fashioned largely after Fox News blowhard Bill O’Reilly.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
And although the team draws inspiration from Lasso’s fictional world, the Bears have used it to make program history in a reality.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fictional
Cite this Entry
“Fictional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fictional. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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