as in real
existing in fact and not merely as a possibility
the actual outcome of the election was quite different from what everybody had expected
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Recent Examples of actual
During the vote, Fraga said the resolution is giving direction for the city’s legal department and administration to enter into a letter of understanding with ICE, but not the actual memorandum of understanding.
—
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Fiction, meanwhile, can upturn such collective attitudes by conveying the specificity of actual working lives and workplaces, recognizing that even the most monotonous labor can shape the self.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
And so when the Warriors entered the two most important games of the year — a quasi-play-in game Sunday and an actual play-in game on Tuesday, Kuminga found himself out of the rotation.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
Or, at least, that is what the actual lawyers thought.
—David G.w. Birch, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actual
Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Fiction, meanwhile, can upturn such collective attitudes by conveying the specificity of actual working lives and workplaces, recognizing that even the most monotonous labor can shape the self.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
And so when the Warriors entered the two most important games of the year — a quasi-play-in game Sunday and an actual play-in game on Tuesday, Kuminga found himself out of the rotation.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
Or, at least, that is what the actual lawyers thought.
—David G.w. Birch, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actual
Adjective
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Washington has repeatedly threatened to abandon its peace efforts unless there is real progress.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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And Gandolfini was right: The series almost wasn’t cast authentically with real Italian actors.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This article has been updated with additional information and remarks. fairness meter fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
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They are shared on social media or fed to reporters with intentional factual omissions and no regard for the truth.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Francis hailed as 'true advocate for peace' In 2019, Francis became the first pontiff to set foot on the peninsula where Islam was born.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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But against the Cavaliers, against the length of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, Ware stands essential, on a Heat roster that lacks a true backup center.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Actual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actual. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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