as in fictitious
not real and existing only in the imagination
the events in the horror movie seemed so real to some fans that they could not believe that the whole thing was fictional
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Recent Examples of fictional
As in the novel, the musical — which Dart again co-scripted, this time with Thom Thomas — begins in the ‘80s with fictional singing sensation Cee Cee Bloom (Jessica Vosk) rehearsing a number for her long-running TV variety show.
—
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
The film stars Tom Rhys Harries as fictional actor Matt Hagen, who makes a shocking transformation into the titular Batman villain.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Wade is set to play Carol, a bartender at the local watering hole in Rio Paloma, the fictional Texas town where the series takes place.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
As Mike and Carol Brady, Robert Reed and Florence Henderson were good role models for their fictional children, both as characters and professional actors.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fictional
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
The film stars Tom Rhys Harries as fictional actor Matt Hagen, who makes a shocking transformation into the titular Batman villain.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Wade is set to play Carol, a bartender at the local watering hole in Rio Paloma, the fictional Texas town where the series takes place.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
As Mike and Carol Brady, Robert Reed and Florence Henderson were good role models for their fictional children, both as characters and professional actors.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fictional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fictional
Adjective
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The moment that lingered came later, when the (sadly fictitious) films of William Harbeck brought me out onto the open deck at dusk.—
Jordan Runtagh,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
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In those previous incidents, charges were either not pursued by the Arlington County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, or were dismissed during the criminal proceedings in a handful of cases involving assault, disorderly conduct, drug possession, and possession of a fictitious identification card.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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If consequences are optional, deterrence is imaginary.—
Darlene Mealy,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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As Siâvash increasingly retreats into imaginary characters, the documentary traces a sibling relationship shaped and strained by displacement, set against a backdrop of escalating tension between Iran and the United States that carries personal consequences for both subjects.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But this year’s report, published Wednesday, has the Queen City of the East – home of horror author Stephen King and the mythical birthplace of lumberjack Paul Bunyan – standing alone.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
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What could be more human than to weave a mythic narrative of self and clan around what is remembered, and the slippages of what might have been?—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Then, a shift to the imagined world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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But, this specific adaptation could be equally advantaged by presenting an imagined hell within our lesser, present one.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fictional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fictional. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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