1
as in honestly
to tell the truth
actually, I'd rather spend the evening at home
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in really
in actual fact
I call her Aunt Emily, but she is actually my cousin, not my aunt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of actually
When Game 3 of the 1917 World Series between the White Sox and New York Giants was rained out, Lardner was in New York and wrote a fictional column pretending the game had actually been played.
—
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
One of them was a physicist and image researcher named Sam Grant—who had some adjusting to do when handed an assignment he was actually supposed to talk about at home.
—Erik German, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Thread can become wrapped under the tongue actually cutting into the soft tissue there.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Adjusted for inflation, flying is actually 36% cheaper now than in 1995.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for actually
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
One of them was a physicist and image researcher named Sam Grant—who had some adjusting to do when handed an assignment he was actually supposed to talk about at home.
—Erik German, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
Thread can become wrapped under the tongue actually cutting into the soft tissue there.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Adjusted for inflation, flying is actually 36% cheaper now than in 1995.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for actually
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actually
Adverb
-
Can any of you please tell me, honestly, if you were personally affected job-wise?—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
But honestly, the translation is not really the issue in director Gabrielle Randle-Bent’s production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
With the growing impact of digital, those of us who still want our news printed on paper really appreciate the delivery teams.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Ice is commonly prescribed to fix dull blades, but do ice cubes really sharpen them?—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
It was unprompted, unfiltered, and, quite frankly, bizarre.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
But these women were devoted to him — some still are, frankly.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
15 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
In fact, very little separates them.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Feb. 2026
-
So people are very patient with me.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Federico’s walking on rare air, indeed.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Scale Biu Tsim Kok hill for a panoramic spectacle of Long Ke Wan's untouched beauty, proving that nature, indeed, is the best artist.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The movies that would be honored here, by contrast, were bolder than the Spirits usually go, resulting in a truly independent raft of winners.—
Film Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
But the seafood menu truly shines during dinner, with six different oyster varieties sourced from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, and Canada.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actually.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actually. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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