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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of actually
Because there’s speculation that decisions were made by campaign leadership to line their pockets rather than actually advance the strategy to win the election.
—
NBC news, 10 May 2026
Grappling might be the better word, actually.
—Glen Weldon, NPR, 10 May 2026
Therefore, drinking caffeine earlier is actually better for boosting energy.
—Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026
SocGen analysts warned that price hedging among airlines may not be enough if physical fuel actually becomes scarce.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for actually
NBC news, 10 May 2026
Grappling might be the better word, actually.
—Glen Weldon, NPR, 10 May 2026
Therefore, drinking caffeine earlier is actually better for boosting energy.
—Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026
SocGen analysts warned that price hedging among airlines may not be enough if physical fuel actually becomes scarce.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for actually
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actually
Adverb
-
And honestly, what would accountability even look like?—
Louis Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But honestly, would anyone really notice if KEIB dropped talk?—
Richard Wagoner,
Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
After all, the longest until 2114 is really hard not to get excited about.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
10 May 2026
-
Izaiah is an active kid who really enjoys being part of a team.—
MARE Staff,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
Adverb
-
Which, frankly, was fun to watch.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
An exhausting, preachy, frankly, boring and outdated version of his former self.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Adverb
-
Your co-parent is managing treatment, uncertainty and the very real fear of how this will affect his relationship with his daughter.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
The hearts and minds of Braves players were on Bobby Cox on a sunny evening at Dodger Stadium before the middle game of a three-game series against the Dodgers — a game that meant very little, considering the news of the day.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
10 May 2026
Adverb
-
But Chicago holds a special place in the interest of the nation, indeed the world.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
The Death in the Gulfstream is indeed a fine thing to do with a bottle of Holland gin, along with dozens of others.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
9 May 2026
Adverb
-
The meal hasn’t truly begun until Shaw-naé Dixon herself emerges from the kitchen to hug each diner.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
In the fifth, Eldridge unfurled his first truly impactful swing of the season with his mom and aunt in attendance.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actually.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actually. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
