1
as in genuine
being exactly as appears or as claimed
this shirt is real silk, not polyester
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in actual
existing in fact and not merely as a possibility
asked her parents if the Tooth Fairy was real
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in true
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
real folk who don't put on airs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in very
to a great degree
this fish tastes real good
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 real
PC Magazine, 22 May 2025
In this eerie tale about fear, lust, and female empowerment, the real question becomes whether this is an act of witchcraft—or a witch hunt.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 22 May 2025
Hedy Phillips, People.com, 11 May 2025
But, obviously, the shoulder pads and stuff were real embarrassing to me.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for real
Adjective
Performances from notable actors like Sean Bean and Patrick Stewart stand out, but the real stars are the voice actors who portray dozens of unique characters throughout Cyrodiil.
—PC Magazine, 22 May 2025
In this eerie tale about fear, lust, and female empowerment, the real question becomes whether this is an act of witchcraft—or a witch hunt.
—Shannon Carlin, Time, 22 May 2025
Adverb
The energy was real cute — laughs, music blasting and everybody hyping each other up.
—Hedy Phillips, People.com, 11 May 2025
But, obviously, the shoulder pads and stuff were real embarrassing to me.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for real
Recent Examples of Synonyms for real
Adjective
-
For all the offseason acquisitions meant to bolster the rotation, starting pitching has become a genuine concern for Los Angeles.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
-
Section meetings are open to members, guests and anyone with a genuine interest in UFOs/UAPs.—
Deb Harvell,
Arkansas Online,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
This is an exuberant, visually stylish imagining of soccer that, say some critics who played the beta preview, gets tantalizingly close to the pure physical joy of kicking an actual soccer ball around with your friends.—
Lewis Gordon,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
-
Four road trips into this year, however, no trickle-down effect has been as lauded as the changes the Dodgers have made to their actual travel schedule.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
The formula for ‘true tackles’ is slightly more long-winded: tackles + challenges lost + fouls committed.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
This may be true if your sunscreen is exposed to heat or light.—
Health,
Health,
27 May 2025
Adverb
-
Every department, every person in the show, every actor is just bringing it to the very last take to the very last minute.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 May 2025
-
The very warm sea surface temperatures in the region where Hurricane Milton was developing were at or above record-breaking highs, helping to foster this rapid intensification.—
Maureen Mccann,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 May 2025
Adjective
-
Their authentic content can amplify your message more effectively than traditional ads.—
Erik Huberman,
Rolling Stone,
21 May 2025
-
The program represents a strategic play to capture the increasingly valuable Gen Z and Alpha generation markets through authentic local storytelling with global appeal.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
The backlash to Bongino’s factual statement is part of a broader political phenomenon.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
-
This is a preview of The 1600—Tap here to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. fairness meter Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
During the two-and-a-half years when one of the four tubes will be shut to train traffic, the current LIRR and Amtrak schedules — both of which were slightly reduced as of November in anticipation of the shutdown — should, in theory, be unaffected.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
-
In addition, although students with high SAT scores were largely unaffected by course shutouts, students with low SAT scores experienced more negative effects, particularly a lower likelihood of declaring a STEM major.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Log in Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.—
Taylor Luck,
Christian Science Monitor,
16 May 2025
-
Comforting touch should be honest and clear – not ambiguous, not tentative and never assumed.—
Brian N. Chin,
The Conversation,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Real.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/real. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share