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 The platform is meant to address the gap between material innovation and what luxury brands actually need from suppliers. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026 However, whether these provisions will actually work is at the heart of the debate. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026 Using words like ghosts or spirits undermines what these entities actually are. — Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026 Make your interest known, then listen carefully enough to learn whether the opportunity actually suits you. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 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
  • When a brand tells that kind of story honestly, its audience starts to cheer it on.
    — Kylie Slavik, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
  • So, honestly, no one should have been expecting to see the former Suits actress at any Remembrance Day events.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of honestly
Adverb
  • TikTok really gave users a way to share their enthusiasm for these books and find a community of like-minded readers.
    — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • One response that really struck us came from an eighth-grade girl.
    — Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of really
Adverb
  • The problem is the acting, which is broad, detached and, frankly, often amateurish.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • But hearing that sweet murder-durder voice spring ferth from Ray Donovan is, quite frankly, werth the price of admission for those of us holding an outsized appreciation for actors attempting difficult regional dialects.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of frankly
Adverb
  • In the mid-1970s, the building housing the Westin opened as the very first Holiday Inn resort in the Caribbean, with Buoy Haus’s beachfront location opening as a low-rise motor inn shortly after.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
  • After multiple attempts to press forward, the message of the direction of the school was received very clearly.
    — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of very
Adverb
  • So, all of that tied together is a surefire confirmation that this is indeed a genuine Georgia O'Keeffe.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Progressives are indeed having a moment in politics, said Chris Zepeda-Millán, a public policy professor at UCLA with expertise in racial and ethnic politics, political activism and social movements.
    — Linh Tat, Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of indeed
Adverb
  • Cam has a tireless appetite for hard work and refinement that has allowed his talents to truly flourish.
    — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The best way to honor Veterans Day is to take President Eisenhower’s admonition to heart and work for peace in the future, resolving that, henceforth, Americans will have to serve only in wars where America’s vital interests are truly at stake.
    — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 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 13 Nov. 2026.

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