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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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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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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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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
  • This shrivelled existence was meant to have ended with a change of direction which was officially ratified by the Premier League in December 2024.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • But comparisons aside, this is unmistakably a Lee Chang-dong film, its aching humanism reflecting the co-existence of despair and hope.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of existence
Noun
  • This reality, intensified by persistent inflation, is why the 60/30/10 budgeting method has been rising in popularity.
    — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 7 Sep. 2026
  • She’s faced with the threat of being kicked out of her orphanage and must suddenly embrace her identity and confront the reality of making it through life on her own.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of reality
Noun
  • The song was born of the realization that, as a professional entertainer and family breadwinner from the age of 9 — born to loving but woefully unprepared teen parents — Becky stepped in as head of the household.
    — Suzy Exposito, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In his mind, the shift towards that realization was noticeably dramatic.
    — Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of realization
Noun
  • Sure, that’s a special case that could’ve gone very differently, but Ferrari’s different car performance case in 2026 is the bigger factor here.
    — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The high salaries are meant to attract ⁠top talent ​and prevent corruption, and cases of graft have been rare.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of case
Noun
  • Adding to the turmoil is the fact that there’s no parliamentary majority that would support budget cuts and trim the deficit, which is near 5% of GDP—well above the European Union’s sub-3% target and a cause of additional bond market angst.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Ricki is charismatic but not otherwordly; if anything, the fact that James is able to seduce or threaten without appearing to do much at all is what makes Ricki extra formidable.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of fact
Noun
  • Still, with all the aforementioned accomplishments, and decades later, Steinem said that her naysayers used her bunny work in an attempt to discredit her.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • To Morrison, as well as to the filmmakers, this awful backstory makes something cathartic of his accomplishment.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of accomplishment
Noun
  • The completion of the Dolphin AIP programme therefore represents a considerable engineering achievement for TKMS, according to the company.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The Cinecon Legacy Award is an honor given by the Cinecon Classic Film Festival to entertainment professionals for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the motion picture and entertainment industries.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of achievement
Noun
  • Even with their reluctance to run, the Tigers rank last with a 69 percent success rate on steals.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • But, Pace says, those successes also should raise questions among policymakers about whether and why a civil government agency such as NASA needs to operate launch sites in the first place.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on actuality

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about actuality

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