ACTUAL Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

actual

adjective

ˈak-ch(ə-w)əl

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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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 actual Chewning also said in her complaint that Granbury wasn’t transparent because no public notice was given via newspaper, website or in a meeting agenda, referring to the actual 2,100 acres that was rezoned. —

Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026 But no one talks about their actual state of mind. —

Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026 In a typical 1 GW data center, over a third of the total energy, around 550 megawatts, is wasted on air-cooling rather than powering actual computing tasks like AI or storage. —

Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026 Denver’s top three selections in the draft are at this point set to attend and participate in rookie minicamp on injury protection deals rather than having their actual contracts agreed to. —

Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for actual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for actual

Adjective

There’s no real way around historical McCarthyism.

— Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
Later in the day, the menu shifts to a mix of Chinese and international dishes, but the view is the real star.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026