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 Here's what to know about ginger ale, and whether there's actually any real ginger in it. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 All of those are right, but look, one of the answers is somehow you guys hired an auditor who is not actually an auditor and failed the auditor exam. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026 That’s all well and good, but council members say such amenities would be useless if Atlanta didn’t actually score a new NHL team. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026 So, even inside Apple Intelligence, pay attention to which AI service is actually handling your request. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 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
  • Furious drops the ball a bit in the interactions with Emma and Jay Easton, turning them into one-dimensional caricatures instead of complex villains, but honestly, this show isn’t really about them.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But honestly, what got me the most excited was less about the supernatural concept of demons coming to this world.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of honestly
Adverb
  • Then the Valkyries really pressed their advantage with a prolific scoring start to the fourth, pushing the lead to 14 points midway through the period.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The first hearings would find out what really happened aboard the Ford and the Abe.
    — John Seiler, Oc Register, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of really
Adverb
  • What about how police agencies understand criminality and risk can only be put on the table and frankly stated behind closed doors?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The last time Harry Brook batted in a Test for England his performance was so chaotic, frenetic and, frankly, irresponsible that New Zealand’s players laughed at him.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of frankly
Adverb
  • The Fed chairman, who took office in May for a four-year term, has so far shared very little commentary on the state of the economy or policy outlook.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • With Adults, being funny is what matters most, and in that regard, this is a very promising premiere.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of very
Adverb
  • Tacos at the waffle place, waffles at the chicken place; our cups indeed runneth over.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The idea is that as an operator mimes picking up a pile of rocks, the arm would generate a force in response, as if the operator could feel the heaviness of the rocks, confirming that the excavator is indeed picking them up.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of indeed
Adverb
  • Despite the frustrations that come with creating one, a truly sleek bun doesn't require growing a third arm and relentless yanking of your strands.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026
  • With 43 room categories, the resort truly offers something for everyone.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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