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
If the package was open and moist air got in, your seeds can start to actually germinate in the packet, and then that's not a good place for them.
—
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
And as the years have gone on, the FEC has actually gone the other direction and become more and more toothless.
—Ashley Lopez, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
By helping to keep children healthy, vaccines actually drive down demand for pediatric services, Alissa, of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, pointed out.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Chalet actually takes you on a journey.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actually
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
And as the years have gone on, the FEC has actually gone the other direction and become more and more toothless.
—Ashley Lopez, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
By helping to keep children healthy, vaccines actually drive down demand for pediatric services, Alissa, of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, pointed out.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Chalet actually takes you on a journey.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actually
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actually
Adverb
-
Zulay’s handheld frother is honestly a steal for under $10.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 Oct. 2025
-
So, the finale's last-ditch plot twist that few saw coming (or, honestly, asked for) was enough to place Asylum in the second spot on our list, though not without a good fight.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
This Melissa & Doug Chef Dress-Up Set includes everything your budding culinary star needs to really dress the part, including a machine-washable chef's coat with name tag, toque, and oven mitt, along with wooden spoons and measuring spoons.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Then something really beautiful happens.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
What is most appealing about YoungBoy is that his music, quite frankly, is the sound of a man who is very much not well.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
-
And so, frankly, is this city, built on the idea of freedom and the offer of sanctuary to those fleeing persecution elsewhere.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Monster has debuted into this very fraught political moment where, despite no evidence showing a link between violence and transness, right-wingers have gone to great pains to paint almost every mass shooter who makes front page news as trans in hopes of stripping trans people of their rights.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
-
In early 2024, support for Israel’s war was very high, if lower among Democrats.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
There is still a lot more to come from Thiaw, but the early signs are very promising indeed.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The real-life Hartley did indeed disappear from La Crosse County in 1954, more than two hours from Gein's home in Waushara County.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Continuity errors like this remind us that there are truly artists at work behind the scenes.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The most terrifying part, however, will truly leave you gagging.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Actually.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actually. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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