Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for fictitious. Search instead for fictitiou.
Definitions

fictitious

[fik-tish-uhs] / fɪkˈtɪʃ əs /
ADJECTIVE
untrue, made-up
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apocryphal bogus counterfeit fabricated false fanciful fictional imaginary make believe misleading mythical phony sham spurious
WEAK
artificial assumed chimerical concocted cooked-up created deceptive delusive delusory dishonest ersatz factitious fake faked fantastic fashioned feigned fictive figmental hyped-up illusory imagined improvised invented made mock romantic simulated suppositious supposititious synthetic trumped-up unreal
Antonyms
STRONGEST
authentic factual genuine honest real sincere true truthful
WEAK
actual certain confirmed proven sure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She did concede, however, that the fictitious citations “‘may have’ come from her use of AI tools,” Buchanan noted.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

One particularly active fake profile used the name "Kevin Zhang", claiming to be the head of a fictitious Hong Kong-based firm called "Oriental Consulting", the security source told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

The seemingly limitless proliferation of cases in which lawyers have been caught letting fictitious AI-generated legal citations contaminate their briefs continues to amaze.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Using a fictitious group gives Iran plausible deniability while amplifying confusion, said Julian Lanchès of the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

“Please don’t scream,” I said, thinking not about her probably fictitious father but about what other things might come running.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs