Synonyms of actual

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• real
• factual
• true
• genuine
• very
• concrete
• final
• literal
• effective
• existent
• absolute
• sure-enough
• valid
• substantial
• proven
• demonstrated
• tangible
• substantiated
• realistic
• certain
• objective
• de facto
• validated
• real-world
• confirmed
• real-life
• convincing
• positive
• unmistakable
• authentic
• verifiable
• established
• indisputable
• undeniable
• unquestionable
• inescapable
• irrefutable
• incontrovertible
• bona fide
• believable
• incontestable
• authoritative
• authenticated
• indubitable
• attested
• verified
• certified
• palpable
• hard
• certifiable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• potential
• possible
• theoretical
• hypothetical
• ideal
• nonexistent
• alleged
• conjectural
• assumed
• platonic
• supposed
• fictional
• fictitious
• envisioned
• imagined
• imaginary
• suppositional
• reputed
• legendary
• fabled
• illusory
• visualized
• inexistent
• pictured
• conceived
• fanciful
• envisaged
• symbolic
• chimerical
• fake
• romantic
• invented
• abstract
• make-believe
• virtual
• unreal
• pretend
• fabricated
• made-up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of actual

Delevingne, who plays Peter’s fellow promoter, became actual friends with Firstman at parties in LA and describes him as her spirit animal. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026

How premiums have increased faster than inflation since the reforms, even as actual payouts to policyholders lagged behind those rising costs. — Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Flipping and remodeling The capstone ends with an opportunity for students to work on an actual home in Independence. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026

Readiness is demonstrated when the team can use its actual tools, telemetry, playbooks and escalation paths to detect, investigate, contain and recover from an attack. — David Etue, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026