actuality

noun

ˌak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē How to pronounce actuality (audio)
Definition of actualitynext
1
as in existence
the fact of being or of being real the actuality of the Abominable Snowman is not taken seriously by scientists

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2
as in reality
the quality of being actual the actuality of equal opportunity depends on more than just having laws that supposedly ensure it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in realization
the state of being actual or complete the actuality of a manned flight to the moon would never have been believed a hundred years ago

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in case
something that actually exists these estimated tax revenues, from casinos that have yet to be built, are being treated as actualities

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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 actuality The two of them stood on Syl's porch, which in actuality was just a wide, square block of cement. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 June 2026 In actuality, the term refers to the trace levels of cocaine and its breakdown products that exist in waterways. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 In actuality, Truman had won the election. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026 The film eliminated even a gesture toward a plot while showing solitary nonprofessional and real-life ranch-hand Misael Saavedra chopping and hauling logs in the Argentinian hinterlands (in actuality, Alonso’s family’s ranch). — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for actuality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuality
  1. existence
  2. reality
  3. realization
  4. case
  5. fact
  6. accomplishment
  7. achievement
  8. success
Noun
  • San Jose has 18 regular-season games remaining to secure a playoff spot for the second time in the franchise’s three years of existence.
    — Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 5 July 2026
  • The fact that this would have to be an invisible and infinite material that doesn't interact with physical objects made the existence of the luminiferous ether highly controversial.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of existence
Noun
  • The reality is that leading men dictate roles and others follow as needed.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • There's still a fair distance between the current realities and a fully hands-off system.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 July 2026
Definition of reality
Noun
  • But for many women, the most powerful realization is that their symptoms have a name, and the disease can be managed.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 14 July 2026
  • That realization has become one of the few bright spots to emerge from an experience that turned his life upside down.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
Definition of realization
Noun
  • A little over 22 months later in December 2025, FIFA announced the full list of group stage matches with venues and dates attached, giving DFW a strong case for the best slate across the board.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • What began as a low-level juvenile case became five years in secure custody as his behavior deteriorated and new charges accumulated.
    — Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
Definition of case
Noun
  • In the 19-page complaint, obtained by Rolling Stone, Morake argued that Jonasi had presented the translation as fact during a conversational podcast rather than as part of a stand-up routine.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2026
  • Basically, the fact that zinc did not always agree with carbon and nitrogen suggests that δ66Zn may be sensitive to ecological processes that are invisible to traditional tracers (offering a complementary lens rather than a replacement).
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of fact
Noun
  • Graham steered 'Big, Beautiful Bill' and ICE funding Before his July 11 death, Graham helped push two major GOP policy accomplishments across the finish line.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 12 July 2026
  • Still, Donovan said that the accomplishment of passing bipartisan housing affordability legislation with an overwhelming majority shouldn’t be downplayed.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of accomplishment
Noun
  • Beyond the engineering achievement, the robot doubles as a physical model for testing ideas about real diving birds.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
  • The achievement of building a quantum heat engine sets the stage to build an entire autonomous heat engine that can perform jobs like reading qubits without using microwave pulses from temperatures near absolute zero to room temperature.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Definition of achievement
Noun
  • The president of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP) said the law is an important step forward, but its long-term success will depend on cooperation between federal, state and local leaders.
    — Nakell Williams, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Atlanta’s formula for success included 16 second-chance points, 21 points off turnovers and 35 rebounds.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of success

Phrases Containing actuality

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actualities
actuality
actualization
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Cite this Entry

“Actuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuality. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on actuality

Nglish: Translation of actuality for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about actuality

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