counterfactual

adjective

coun·​ter·​fac·​tu·​al ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈfak-chə-wəl How to pronounce counterfactual (audio)
-chəl,
-shwəl,
-chü-əl
: contrary to fact
counterfactual assumptions

Examples of counterfactual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The former calls for a counterfactual view of how testing works; the latter calls for political will and policy ideas not currently in evidence. Peter Greene, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024 From those counterfactual questions, the adult Roth spun a tour de force of memory and history. New York Times, 8 July 2024 This willingness or compulsion to present claims that are utterly counterfactual has set Trump apart from conventional candidates. Ron Elving, NPR, 14 Sep. 2024 While Uber has disputed my findings on driver pay cuts and increasing profit margins, the company has declined to disclose relevant counterfactual data. Len Sherman, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for counterfactual 

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of counterfactual was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near counterfactual

Cite this Entry

“Counterfactual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterfactual. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

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