Synonyms of real

real 1 of 2

adjective

ˈrē(-ə)l 

1

as in genuine

being exactly as appears or as claimed

this shirt is real silk, not polyester

Synonyms & Similar Words

• genuine
• true
• authentic
• honest
• actual
• original
• unmistakable
• historical
• for real
• certified
• bona fide
• sure-enough
• certifiable
• pure
• right
• legitimate
• very
• identifiable
• legal
• dinkum
• pukka
• echt
• verifiable
• recognizable
• lawful
• accurate
• undeniable
• proven
• indisputable
• undoubted
• unquestionable
• validated
• irrefutable
• veritable
• incontrovertible
• substantiated
• indubitable
• proper
• correct
• incontestable
• verified
• unadulterated
• unalloyed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• false
• fake
• unreal
• phony
• bogus
• pseudo
• spurious
• mock
• counterfeit
• artificial
• sham
• synthetic
• imitation
• simulated
• supposititious
• unauthentic
• unnatural
• factitious
• suppositious
• manufactured
• misleading
• deceptive
• fabricated
• man-made
• delusive
• concocted
• delusory

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

• actual
• factual
• true
• genuine
• very
• concrete
• effective
• literal
• final
• existent
• sure-enough
• valid
• absolute
• proven
• substantial
• realistic
• tangible
• demonstrated
• de facto
• convincing
• undeniable
• validated
• real-life
• authentic
• unmistakable
• substantiated
• real-world
• positive
• certain
• objective
• confirmed
• indisputable
• unquestionable
• believable
• inescapable
• irrefutable
• verifiable
• established
• incontrovertible
• incontestable
• bona fide
• authenticated
• indubitable
• authoritative
• palpable
• verified
• attested
• certified
• hard
• certifiable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• potential
• possible
• theoretical
• hypothetical
• ideal
• nonexistent
• alleged
• conjectural
• platonic
• supposed
• assumed
• fictional
• fictitious
• imaginary
• illusory
• imagined
• reputed
• envisioned
• legendary
• suppositional
• conceived
• inexistent
• fabled
• fanciful
• visualized
• fake
• romantic
• pictured
• chimerical
• envisaged
• make-believe
• symbolic
• invented
• unreal
• virtual
• pretend
• abstract
• fabricated
• made-up

3

as in true

free from any intent to deceive or impress others

real folk who don't put on airs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• genuine
• true
• unaffected
• honest
• simple
• innocent
• sincere
• naive
• natural
• straightforward
• spontaneous
• guileless
• inexperienced
• unpretentious
• ingenuous
• artless
• on the level
• unpretending
• candid
• direct
• open
• straight
• unsophisticated
• childlike
• frank
• impressionable
• plain
• unworldly
• malleable
• wide-eyed
• trustful
• trusting
• unforced
• simpleminded
• gee-whiz
• unstudied
• free
• persuadable
• persuasible
• gullible
• openhearted
• plainspoken
• susceptible
• dewy-eyed
• unguarded
• exploitable
• unwary
• single-minded
• free-spoken

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• artificial
• false
• fake
• critical
• assuming
• phony
• affected
• artful
• suspicious
• dishonest
• pretentious
• skeptical
• cynical
• wary
• insincere
• sophisticated
• worldly
• cosmopolitan
• civilized
• polished
• mistrustful
• subtle
• cultured
• deceptive
• refined
• guileful
• cultivated
• sharp
• manipulative
• dissembling
• hypocritical
• dissimulating
• smooth
• crooked
• tricky
• devious
• cunning
• deceitful
• slippery
• slick
• shrewd
• crafty
• designing
• wily
• sly
• worldly-wise
• calculating
• scheming
• shifty
• foxy
• flattering
• underhanded
• arch
• feigned
• unctuous
• strained
• forced
• double-dealing
• canny
• two-faced
• knavish
• sycophantic
• mealymouthed

real

2 of 2

adverb

as in very

to a great degree

this fish tastes real good

Synonyms & Similar Words

• very
• damn
• extremely
• damned
• incredibly
• terribly
• really
• too
• highly
• so
• badly
• that
• full
• seriously
• far
• much
• super
• such
• desperately
• most
• jolly
• especially
• severely
• mighty
• intensely
• good and
• particularly
• extra
• greatly
• way
• wildly
• specially
• awful
• heavily
• exceptionally
• absolutely
• wicked
• passing
• awfully
• deadly
• cracking
• fantastically
• roaring
• bone
• dang
• fiercely
• totally
• monstrous
• immensely
• exceedingly
• vitally
• sore
• supremely
• fabulously
• eminently
• a lot
• rattling
• almighty
• ever
• hugely
• thumping
• uncommonly
• frightfully
• beastly
• whacking
• remarkably
• completely
• achingly
• spanking
• utterly
• surpassingly
• enormously
• entirely
• corking
• thoroughly
• right
• sorely
• vastly
• deeply
• filthy
• positively
• mortally
• stinking
• majorly
• wholly
• roaringly
• purely
• blisteringly
• colossally
• archly
• significantly
• fully
• obviously
• as all get-out
• unco
• mightily
• downright
• considerably
• noticeably
• visibly
• flat-out
• profoundly
• substantially
• radically
• notably
• palpably
• extensively
• discernibly
• markedly
• plainly
• altogether
• appreciably
• amazingly
• abundantly
• plentifully
• monumentally
• astonishingly
• excessively
• overmuch
• astronomically
• obscenely
• staggeringly
• monstrously
• grandly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• little
• somewhat
• slightly
• nominally
• just
• negligibly
• hardly
• barely
• scarcely
• marginally
• minimally
• meagerly
• scantily

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of real

Adjective

Out of the 26 letters of the Roman alphabet, or any writing system, an identity can be assigned, fixed—and made, if not real, then socially legible and governmentally legal. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Digital assets felt different—a sign that the industry’s real growth is still ahead, not a bet on the market. — Sergey Stopnevich, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Pattinson’s ascent to the status of summer meme champion carries with it real cultural cachet. — David MacK, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

There’s another description of an older car that’s real loud. — Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing real

• for real
• real estate