1
as in genuine
being exactly as appears or as claimed
this shirt is real silk, not polyester
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in actual
existing in fact and not merely as a possibility
asked her parents if the Tooth Fairy was real
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in true
free from any intent to deceive or impress others
real folk who don't put on airs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in very
to a great degree
this fish tastes real good
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 real
Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
That’s the fortitude of a real writer.
—Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Early images from filming showed outfits which were derided online as cheap-looking—and unfaithful to the late Bessette Kennedy’s real aesthetic.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for real
Adjective
After an investigation that lasted months, fuelled by eight whistle-blowers on his own staff, the legislators concluded that Paxton had taken bribes from a real-estate developer, improperly fired aides who reported his conduct, and obstructed justice.
—Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
That’s the fortitude of a real writer.
—Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
Adverb
There was some real positive trends defensively.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Early images from filming showed outfits which were derided online as cheap-looking—and unfaithful to the late Bessette Kennedy’s real aesthetic.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for real
Recent Examples of Synonyms for real
Adjective
-
The Europeans insist that a genuine popular movement against the regime arose in recent months but that it was shut down in an unprecedented wave of violence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
In the short term, instability in the Gulf represents genuine economic pain for China rather than strategic opportunity.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The protesters never mentioned his name on their live stream and never published his actual home address.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
That this passion for art has given it any greater understanding of actual human nature might be.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But the opposite was true Tuesday morning.—
Rachel Royster
Updated March 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Luneberg lens design Autonomous vehicle safety has mostly focused on onboard tech, but true reliability may require upgrading the roads themselves.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Tel Aviv, Israel — Undermining this moment of relief for many repressed Iranians is that killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a perilously simple fix to a very complex problem.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The Innova 5610 is very capable and has decent price.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
To fuel this innovation, Sovani relentlessly explores Tokyo’s diverse food landscape, seeking out the city's most authentic vegetarian gems.—
Nupur Singh,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Feb. 2026
-
One reason was the failure of the militants to build an authentic popular constituency.—
Jason Burke,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
When Disney acquired 21st Century Fox in 2019, Brussels approved the transaction only after Disney agreed to divest several European factual channels, including History and Lifetime, which overlapped with Fox’s National Geographic services in certain territories.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Mar. 2026
-
While the broader market grapples with streamer and pay-TV budget cuts, factual distributors are pivoting toward public broadcasters and international partnerships to keep projects viable.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The school was unaffected by the fire but placed on secure status as a precautionary measure during the emergency response, according to officials.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Security experts and locals state that tourist areas like Cancun, over 1,000 miles away, remain largely unaffected and calm.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
It’s been done pretty damn well for many, many, many decades.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Opponents are finding it too damn easy to get to the bucket and as a result, the offense faces momentous pressure down the stretch of these games because stops and takeaways aren't falling from the sky.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Real.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/real. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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