1
as in honestly
to tell the truth
actually, I'd rather spend the evening at home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
What did Democrats actually get out of this?
—
CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
What had Frankie actually chosen?
—Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
However, there are still question marks on when these refunds will be distributed, and how much of them businesses will actually see.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Leonhard’s greatest challenge with Barron in his first NFL season, as the ex-Broncos coach told The Post last summer, was getting the rookie to actually turn his brain off.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for actually
CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
What had Frankie actually chosen?
—Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
However, there are still question marks on when these refunds will be distributed, and how much of them businesses will actually see.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Leonhard’s greatest challenge with Barron in his first NFL season, as the ex-Broncos coach told The Post last summer, was getting the rookie to actually turn his brain off.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for actually
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actually
Adverb
-
The healthiest policy environment is one where districts, labor, families, and boards solve problems early and honestly, with students at the center and with fiscal discipline.—
Opinion Staff,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
-
This citizen honestly does not know which is worse.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Sounds like a rounding error, but the extra couple of percentage points of creamy fat is what really intensifies the flavor.—
Elliott Harrell,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
-
But, really, this is a volume business.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Yes, George, frankly, this conflict only seems to be escalating with all sides exchanging intense fire on a daily basis.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
She was collected, fierce, and frankly jaded in her discussion of efforts to document wars around the world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Arthur would have looked very different had another actor played him, according to the filmmaker.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Over time, my relationship with my wife has become very difficult.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Artisanal work of this caliber is rare air indeed—an heirloom object that appears to defy gravity but is firmly rooted in generations of savoir faire.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Some pundits claim that social media is the equivalent to smoking cigarettes or illicit drugs, a common but false claim in technology moral panics (indeed such comparisons have been identified as a warning sign of misinformation).—
William Proctor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The old saying about the Masters is that the tournament doesn’t truly begin until the back nine on Sunday.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
-
After three mostly successful years at Boise State, the former three-star recruit truly blossomed in Fayetteville.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actually.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actually. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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