actually

adverb

ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lē How to pronounce actually (audio)
Definition of actuallynext
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

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 actually Everything is designed to mix and match, so building a capsule from Splits59 feels less like acquiring and more like editing down to what actually gets worn. — Zoë MacKay, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026 Lowen suspects that Verity (1) is telling the truth in her memoir and lying in the press footage online and (2) can actually walk and talk and is faking her illness for dastardly yet unclear reasons. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026 Regardless, in order to actually save their season, the Trojans need Maiava to be more than just a passable Big Ten quarterback. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 Which of these use cases can actually be checked, and who or what checks it? — Dhyey Mavani, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for actually
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actually
  1. honestly
  2. really
  3. frankly
  4. very
  5. indeed
  6. truly
Adverb
  • Show how colleagues work together honestly in standups, during escalations and even during the occasional miss.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • On mornings when my face looks puffy (which is, honestly, most mornings), the cooling tip is just what the doctor ordered.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of honestly
Adverb
  • But your compassion, your kind heart, and your holiness are what really elevate you in my eyes.
    — Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
  • My teammates have been finishing the ball [at a] really, really high rate.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of really
Adverb
  • Even though the score was 27-27 in the fourth quarter and SC's defense seemed to get a stop on a long third down, a trademark poorly timed, and frankly absurd and ridiculous, roughing the passer penalty gave the Ducks a free first down.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Establishing the Curiosity Academy was so simple — and, frankly, a bit anticlimactic — that reporters then applied to become eligible to receive public funds.
    — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of frankly
Adverb
  • The hotel is very grown up, and therefore not exactly relaxing with very young kids (or, at least, not with my kid)—although children are not discouraged.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Thirteen are rated at very high risk or in default, and 23 have no rating from the big agencies, which cuts them from international bond markets.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of very
Adverb
  • Turkey has indeed taken some steps to limit aviation ties with Iran.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • On paper, the Republican senator from Missouri’s idea of punishing labs or users who have indeed acted recklessly or negligently while developing or deploying AI systems is a good one.
    — Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of indeed
Adverb
  • There’s no shortage of excellent, affordable wellness options in Ubud, but the spa here is truly outstanding.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • For this year’s Pro Accelerate, Ford is upping the ante, partnering with the Ad Council, Home Depot, Dycom and The Wallace Foundation on truly grappling with the state of the skilled-trades crisis.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of truly

Browse Nearby Words

actualizing
actually
actuate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Actually.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actually. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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