historical

adjective

hi-ˈstȯr-i-kəl How to pronounce historical (audio)
Definition of historicalnext
as in factual
restricted to or based on fact a historical novel that tells the story of Hannibal's crossing of the Alps through the eyes of a young boy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 historical Every source reached for a historical comparison, and every comparison collapsed under the weight of the current numbers. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 July 2026 Chinese people were barred from entering the country for decades, but newer arrivals are spreading beyond historical Chinatowns. — Albert Sun, New York Times, 2 July 2026 An internal probe revealed a flawed approval process where historical context was overlooked, despite AI being used for content generation. — Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 The calendar includes America's Block Party events, festivals, historical programs, exhibits and community gatherings scheduled across the country. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for historical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for historical
  1. factual
  2. literal
  3. documentary
  4. true
  5. nonfictional
Adjective
  • Award-winning factual producer Proper Content is set to shutter amid tough market conditions.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 2 July 2026
  • Sotomayor, writing for the liberal justices, accused the majority of cutting the litigation short and argued that unresolved factual questions should have been returned to the lower courts.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of factual
Adjective
  • Sharks sit at the top of this literal chain reaction, integrators of everything below them in their predator role, accumulating what the system carries.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • For the Dar al Funoon, its inviting nature is communicated through form instead of literal transparency.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 July 2026
Definition of literal
Adjective
  • That judge later barred the Secretary of Defense from requiring documentary proof of citizenship when military personnel register to vote or request ballots.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026
  • Paul Dugdale directed, with documentary segments from Farah X, and Live Nation Studios produced.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Definition of documentary
Adjective
  • This underscores how Apple's control over its devices, from hardware to software, limits true ownership and poses challenges for long-term digital preservation.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • If religion is corrupted by breaking down the wall of separation, much the same is true of the state.
    — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • Pee-Wee as Himself, the 2025 Emmy award winner for best documentary or nonfictional special, is also among the nominees.
    — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
  • That delirious excess befits the essence of Lapid’s method, which is a fusion of fiction with indigestibly and irreducibly nonfictional elements.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of nonfictional

Browse Nearby Words

historic
historical
histories
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Cite this Entry

“Historical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/historical. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on historical

Nglish: Translation of historical for Spanish Speakers

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