1
as in honestly
to tell the truth
actually, I'd rather spend the evening at home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in really
in actual fact
I call her Aunt Emily, but she is actually my cousin, not my aunt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of actually
Inside, the living room is actually upstairs, accessed by removable steps, and is a simple room that includes a sofa and a table.
—
Adam Williams
march 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
Hey, 1 out of 3 isn’t actually that bad for events like this.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2026
So yeah, $16 can actually look like a deal in some scenarios.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
But banning pet sales at pet stores doesn’t actually accomplish that goal.
—Ed Sayres, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for actually
Adam Williams
march 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
Hey, 1 out of 3 isn’t actually that bad for events like this.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2026
So yeah, $16 can actually look like a deal in some scenarios.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
But banning pet sales at pet stores doesn’t actually accomplish that goal.
—Ed Sayres, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for actually
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actually
Adverb
-
And quite honestly, the plot stops for these guys’ performance.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
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Transcription comes by its tragicomic suspicion of devices honestly.—
Hannah Gold,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Best in the state, really, now that Name/Image/Likeness and the House ruling have helped suck the juice out of Air Force football under Troy Calhoun.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The Charlotte Hornets found the wrong kind of déjà vu Sunday, losing a home game to the Boston Celtics that never really felt close.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
And it’s not just used for Bernheim—the 2025 Heritage Collection release was a 19-year-old wheat whiskey that was, frankly, fantastic.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
29 Mar. 2026
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Mary Janes are typically associated with sweetness, but the pair above, frankly, didn’t get the memo.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
29 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Although winds will be mostly light, between 5 and 10 mph, the dry air combined with very dry vegetation will result in a continuation of elevated fire danger.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
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Bartle may have been right, but for some Chiefs fans and stadium developers with billions of public dollars at stake, that state line probably feels very real.—
Elijah Winkler,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The assemblies aren’t the end of the nomination process — indeed, some of the highest-profile names in Democratic politics are foregoing it.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
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The mix of calm bordeaux and vibrant green makes for interesting styling indeed.—
Jana Ackermann,
Glamour,
28 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
When Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico had each of her players bring in a quote that resonates with them, sophomore guard Olivia Olson provided one that truly encapsulates the Wolverines heading into the only women's NCAA Tournament regional final matching the top two seeds.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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In one of their worst outings in a while, the Hornets never truly threatened Boston and dropped a 114-99 decision, despite the Celtics missing one half of their All-Star tandem with Jaylen Brown sitting out.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actually.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actually. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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