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
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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of factual
Before the case heads to trial, the court must still examine on summary judgment whether there’s a factual dispute for a jury to decide.
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Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2024
The candidate posted his factual account recap on Wednesday.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press fairness meter
Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
The results pointed to the success of dramas including All Creatures Great and Small, which airs on PBS in the States, and factual shows like Captain Tom: Where Did The Money Go?.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for factual 
Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Dec. 2024
The candidate posted his factual account recap on Wednesday.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press fairness meter
Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
The results pointed to the success of dramas including All Creatures Great and Small, which airs on PBS in the States, and factual shows like Captain Tom: Where Did The Money Go?.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for factual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for factual
Adjective
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The goalkeeper position is a historical strength for the U.S. men, from Tony Meola to Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel, Tim Howard and Brad Guzan.Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
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But the circulation of artworks to places far removed from their origins, and their persistence beyond the time of their creation, demands that they be seen not only as historical documents but as explorations of pictorial possibility.Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But even as the ways criminals use ransomware are set to evolve, the actual makeup of the technology isn’t expected to change too drastically in the coming years.Ryan Browne, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024
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Events feature ski, snowshoe and hiking trails lighted by candles (sometimes electric, sometimes actual flames inside ice luminaries), and typically have bonfires and refreshments.Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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At Studio 99 Group, which includes a creative and production studio, revenue grew to $15 million as the company increased production, including of a documentary series for Netflix and also scaled up production of marketing campaigns for David Beckham’s brand partners.Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 30 Dec. 2024
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Tickell went on to appear in a handful of other film and TV roles in the late ’90s and early 2000s, but ultimately decided to shift her focus to documentary filmmaking.John Russell, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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At that moment, had the Bills forced a punt, there was a real chance Allen would not have reentered the game.Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
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Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande bring real chemistry and pathos to the show's main roles and have the pipes to pull off some extremely difficult songs without breaking a sweat.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The movie’s one outright mistake is suddenly shifting from emotional abuse to a literal assault that inadvertently plays like a queasy bad-taste joke about how artists get screwed.Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
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Sports UConn's Geno Auriemma, the new winningest NCAA coach, is honored with a literal goat A deep sea creature kept washing ashore in California Oarfish are known to swim in waters 300 to 3,000 feet below the surface.Ayana Archie, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Certainly, that had been true in watching the Red Wings of late.Max Bultman, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
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While plenty of these moguls were born rich or had big head starts in life through family connections, dozens of others came from little to nothing—true rags-to-riches stories that show just how far someone can go in one generation.Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near factual
Cite this Entry
“Factual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/factual. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.
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