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
News reports last week established that at least 31 sloths have died since late 2024 in a converted warehouse about a mile from the actual Sloth World location.
—
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Rampell’s writing and commentary do not reflect the views of actual neoconservatives, who champion shrinking the welfare state as well as a robustly interventionist foreign policy.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Some of climbing and kayaking was recreated on sets, but Kormákur also insisted on pairing those with actual locations.
—Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
Using actual biological cells, the Princeton team is looking for a shortcut to ultra-low-power computing.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for actual
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Rampell’s writing and commentary do not reflect the views of actual neoconservatives, who champion shrinking the welfare state as well as a robustly interventionist foreign policy.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Some of climbing and kayaking was recreated on sets, but Kormákur also insisted on pairing those with actual locations.
—Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
Using actual biological cells, the Princeton team is looking for a shortcut to ultra-low-power computing.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for actual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actual
Adjective
-
And scratched nonstick pans are a real concern for most home cooks.—
Jennifer Zyman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The milquetoast nature of the statement — with its measured language and nonexistent call to action — and the broader absence of real accountability have nagged at me for weeks.—
Uzma Rentia,
STAT,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Yet neither approach had any factual basis, and any success either group had was likely due to the placebo effect—merely giving a patient special attention and the hope of a cure can be healing in itself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
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Some complaints derive from the film brushing aside many of the late King of Pop’s controversies, while others criticize the factual problems of Michael’s life and career, including missing family members.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Moon moves through your 1st House of Identity, bringing focus back to what’s true for you.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
While that’s still true, some of these rising players are feeling the pain of fickle production, too.—
Erik Hayden,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actual. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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