Synonyms of actually

actually

adverb

ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lē 

1

as in honestly

to tell the truth

actually, I'd rather spend the evening at home

Synonyms & Similar Words

• honestly
• frankly
• really
• indeed
• certainly
• truly
• truthfully
• absolutely
• admittedly
• in fact
• to be sure
• as a matter of fact
• positively
• in reality
• undoubtedly
• in truth
• in actuality
• verily
• in point of fact
• unquestionably
• realistically
• forsooth
• indisputably
• indubitably
• veritably

2

as in really

in actual fact

I call her Aunt Emily, but she is actually my cousin, not my aunt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• really
• very
• truly
• just
• genuinely
• simply
• exactly
• in reality
• almost
• literally
• practically
• in truth
• veritably
• authentically
• in actuality
• accurately
• certifiably
• precisely
• nearly
• positively
• virtually
• squarely
• sharp
• right
• smack-dab

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• supposedly
• apparently
• seemingly
• ostensibly
• outwardly
• professedly
• plausibly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of actually

However, Buffett revealed that the trade was actually initiated by him. — CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

While there’s a lot of fear right now about AI taking people’s jobs, AI could actually help people get jobs – including those with some of the most significant barriers to employment. — August 3, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026

But the tools we're allowed to use are the ones nobody wants, while the ones that could actually be useful get stuck in internal gatekeeping. — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

Champion swimmer Dara Torres says that the chlorine in the pool actually helps her psoriasis. — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026