as in historical
restricted to or based on fact
a nonfictional account of a disastrous ascent of Mount Everest
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Recent Examples of nonfictional
Significant experiment The effort is part of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, a nonfictional experiment with detectors that will be immersed in huge baths of cryogenic liquid argon, which is going the opposite direction — down.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026
But what was more interesting to me are those who aren’t fantasizing about being in a fictional world, but who are fantasizing about being a different reader, in a more secure nonfictional world.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
Recently, this sacrament has garnered nonfictional attention.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Jan. 2026
But what was more interesting to me are those who aren’t fantasizing about being in a fictional world, but who are fantasizing about being a different reader, in a more secure nonfictional world.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
Recently, this sacrament has garnered nonfictional attention.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonfictional
Adjective
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Picture real-time views of what individual players see from their perspective on the field or probability overlays showing the likelihood of different play outcomes based on formation, down, distance, and historical data.—
Jason Corso,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
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Responsiveness requires historical literacy, strategic coherence, clarity of purpose, and a public that understands the stakes.—
Carol L. Harris,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Court could also choose to remand the case for further proceedings, sending it back to a lower court to address any possible legal or factual errors.—
Dianne Gallagher,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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In its appeal, Woodland Park Communities argues the hearing examiner made legal and factual errors that resulted in an excessive and unauthorized penalty.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Under the directive, documentary proof of citizenship would be required to register to vote.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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And as much as the work of production designer Jack Fisk creates the sense of being whisked back to the New York of the 1950s, so too does Venditti’s documentary-style approach to casting help Marty Supreme feel like a cinematic time capsule.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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Extracting water ice would provide the oxygen and hydrogen fuel necessary to turn the moon into a literal gas station for the solar system.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonfictional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonfictional. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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