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 Founders will notice hesitation, enthusiasm, chemistry, confidence, uncertainty, who’s influencing the room, whether the customer is actually excited. — Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Notably, the filing did not argue that Streever's January email to Lyons was actually a violent threat that could be prosecuted, or that Streever had written anything in addition to the January email that triggered the investigation. — Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026 Nighttime skincare routines are having a moment on social media, and readers are asking which bedtime habits actually help versus which ones could be doing damage. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Investors are misjudging, and then correcting, who or what will actually capture AI’s value. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 17 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
  • This will only lead to unproductive conflict − and, honestly, that's what a lot of narcissists want anyway.
    — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Parks honestly thinks the Crusaders have the chops to win back-to-back state titles.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of honestly
Adverb
  • The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon really lived up to their nickname, defeating Malawi 3-0 with all three goals coming in the first half.
    — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Bridal pajamas take on many forms—and the best ones, complete with feather embellishments and silky fabrics, are really pretty fabulous.
    — Lea Donenberg, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of really
Adverb
  • This whole situation is discriminatory, disgusting, and quite frankly, Orwellian.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The new French doors that were, frankly, too brand spanking were limed to age them, while ancient Moroccan ones studded with enormous nail heads were used indoors.
    — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of frankly
Adverb
  • Anna’s sheer lace dress with a huge keyhole in the front and an open back is fine but also like a million other dresses; the same goes for Jude’s nicely constructed, but very familiar, black velvet dress with a corset.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Quarterback Tommy DeVito looked to him on a go route on the very next play, but Williams didn’t cut back inside for the ball, which appeared to frustrate Vrabel on the sideline.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of very
Adverb
  • Stuart Fails to Save the Universe indeed came up with a fun, clever premise…and then apparently just decided to stop trying there; everything else about the series is totally lackluster.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Nancy Reagan, fearful of losing her husband, did indeed consult an astrologer after Reagan was shot.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of indeed
Adverb
  • But the only way that truly would have been the case would have been if Beal took the minimum elsewhere.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But there’s a case to be made for visiting in late summer or early fall, before the temperatures truly plummet and after the crowds thin out a little.
    — Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 14 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 19 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of actually for Spanish Speakers

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