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.
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Recent Examples of actually
All of these grant actually useful rewards.
—
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
By the time the match actually starts, most players just can’t wait to get on to the court.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
This is a Justice League film — a pair, actually, since it was released in two parts.
—Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
How did this actually come together?
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actually
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
By the time the match actually starts, most players just can’t wait to get on to the court.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
This is a Justice League film — a pair, actually, since it was released in two parts.
—Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
How did this actually come together?
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actually
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actually
Adverb
-
As for her own love of LSU, Hartung comes by it honestly.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
4 Sep. 2025
-
He was distracted by the movie and honestly just really liked my cooking.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Priya Kaur The Powerball jackpot is getting big − really big.—
Priya Kaur,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
All the movies are really about people trapped in a spaceship, a prison, et cetera.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Thematic through-lines will become more apparent in the coming years, but for now what strikes me is the variety of the offerings and — speaking quite frankly — the wide range in quality.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Instead, later stages feel unpolished, undertested, and frankly harsh; some sections rely more on luck than skill due to dodgy responsiveness, weird puzzle timings, or the occasional drop into sub-30fps territory.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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In her latest Jo + Tiny Mic series on Instagram, the Texas native shared four of her favorite secrets to instantly elevate a room, and the principles can be perfectly applied to your fall home decor using Gaines’ very own Magnolia collection at Target.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In heated hearings over the past week, Republicans released very little information about the map’s impact on specific communities across the Kansas City area.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
However, just existing in the habitable zone of a star isn't sufficient to guarantee the existence of liquid-water oceans or indeed the conditions needed to support life.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
And this party is going to be grand indeed, molded to Hedda’s particular taste as possible — less flowers, more champagne — and kitted out with a guest list that proves more bizarre as the night winds on.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
8 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The people of New York City deserve a mayor who truly cares.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
While the airlines are undeniably cramming us all in regardless of our waist size, for passengers who truly don’t fit in a standard economy seat, policies like Southwest’s help not only them but their fellow travelers be safer and more comfortable onboard, and that’s a good thing.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Actually.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actually. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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