ACTUAL Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

actual

adjective

ˈak-ch(ə-w)əl

Definition of actual

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

Relevance

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 actual Someone has probably told you that laughter is the best medicine, but in Cat Cohen’s case, a combination of arthroscopic heart surgery and actual, honest-to-God confronting her feelings onstage has proven an effective long-term care plan. — Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 24 July 2026 This worked much better, producing a structure that agreed with ones determined by experiments with actual nucleic acids and proteins. — ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026 Brown also faced charges of assault causing actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon, a bottle. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 The pair had been charged with more serious offenses of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm and a less serious charge of assault causing actual bodily harm, which the pair had denied and were due to go to trial in October. — Sam Tobin, USA Today, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for actual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for actual

Adjective

The stage will combine an LED volume wall, advanced camera tracking and real-time 3D engines to blend physical sets and actors with digital environments.

— Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 22 July 2026
But beyond those dates, bookings for June 10 through July 19 totaled 430K nights, roughly flat compared to last year, suggesting no real uplift on those days, Linda Rollins, an AirDNA research analyst told the Miami Herald.

— Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

Definition of real

Adjective

MacInnes is also reported to have raised procedural-fairness arguments, claiming that Raper made certain factual findings without giving her an adequate opportunity to address them during the trial.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 July 2026
Outside of factual content, Rise Films also produced ancient Roman sitcom Plebs, which ran on ITV2 for four seasons from 2013, and enjoyed a revival on Netflix last year.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 July 2026

Definition of factual

Adjective

As is true for many other industries in China, intense competition at home is driving companies to expand globally.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
While the event offered charitable benefits, Rocket Companies' true commitment is a $500 million, 10-year philanthropic initiative.

— Tonya M. Evans, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026