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
No actual filming took place in the States owing predominantly to budget and sustainability considerations, although drone footage was shot in Miami.
—
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
But makeup hasn’t always matched actual skin colors so well.
—Merrill Fabry, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Some American trade groups consider that a poor batting average that has resulted in more unjustified seizures than actual hits, making it, in turn, bad for business.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
Let actual scouts handle player identification.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actual
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
But makeup hasn’t always matched actual skin colors so well.
—Merrill Fabry, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Some American trade groups consider that a poor batting average that has resulted in more unjustified seizures than actual hits, making it, in turn, bad for business.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
Let actual scouts handle player identification.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actual
Adjective
-
And though there’s no doubt the Panthers don’t bring the same television audience as the Toronto Maple Leafs or the New York Rangers or even the rebuilding Blackhawks, the buzz in South Florida is very real.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The concept envisions drones flying ahead of vehicles to provide drivers with real-time views of the terrain.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Evaluating defamation claims where the report contains demonstrably false factual assertions.—
Tim Reynolds,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
-
MagellanTV has a streaming content offering that ranges across the history, nature, science, space and true crime genres, and a library of premium factual documentaries offered to consumers turning to streaming TV options.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
It's slated to offer a commendable-if-true 330 miles (520 km) range, from a 350-kW fast-charging 122-kWh battery.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The same will be true this season, but with Turner being more mobile and versatile than Lopez, the Bucks will likely play types of defense that Portis may be more comfortable executing.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Actual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actual. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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