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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of real
Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
The reaction of many residents to the sirens of September would be similar to those three years later to the missiles of October, when fear of nuclear attack by the Soviet Union was a real concern.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 16 July 2025
People just got a real great feeling watching how our guys competed.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for real
Adjective
These waivers help put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
The reaction of many residents to the sirens of September would be similar to those three years later to the missiles of October, when fear of nuclear attack by the Soviet Union was a real concern.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
Adverb
Temperatures in Boston for the week peaked with a heat index in the triple digits on Wednesday – but residents may not see a real cool off until Friday.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 16 July 2025
People just got a real great feeling watching how our guys competed.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for real
Recent Examples of Synonyms for real
Adjective
-
The most effective solution lies in embracing genuine flexibility.—
Rob Lydic,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
With big sponsors such as Barclays, promoters like Live Nation and even investors like Blackrock, Vanguard and KKR now a target for activists, there’s a genuine fear that the tap could be turned off.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The comments in the thread suggest that the official website selling F1 tickets is an agent, while the circuit is the actual seller.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Advertisement Which was more nerve-wracking, the actual audition or the performance in the movie?—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
These personal histories are brilliantly distilled in his biopic of Japanese terrorist Satoshi Kirishima, who, as one of the country’s most wanted men, successfully evaded capture for nearly 50 years before revealing his true identity on his deathbed.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Aug. 2025
-
After an investigation, HUD under Democratic President Joe Biden found in 2023 the allegations to be true.—
Lizzie Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
That velocity had previously masked a very hittable fastball, and Sasaki’s heater got walloped in the ensuing outings.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Aug. 2025
-
The moist air circulated by the air conditioning system in turn had spread it throughout different parts of the hotel, infecting Legionnaires, many of whom were older and particularly susceptible to very bad outcomes.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Blockchain could become the only way to prove a person or company is real and that their message is authentic.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Ralph Johnson is wry and endearing as the town rabbi, Ron Orbach is gruff and authentic as the butcher Lazar Wolf.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The formula for Winner’s Circle became the firm’s calling card: fresh factual entertainment or documentary content focused on stories and names that young audiences care about, produced with the latest technology.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Have honest and factual conversations with friends and family about why due process matters.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Thirty to 100 percent increases are being asked for apartments built since 1947 and therefore unaffected by rent-control laws.—
Nicholas Pileggi,
Curbed,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Some of the areas most closely watched for tariff impact nationwide were largely unaffected.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Naturally, romantic commitments could become affected by the trajectory of your professional goals, so be honest with yourself.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The project intends to empower Californians to engage in honest discussions, according to its mission statement.—
Amelia Wu,
Sacbee.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Real.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/real. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share