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
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Audiences connect with fitfluencers who feel like real, reachable versions of themselves.
—Abby Frank, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
Katie Campione, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
And more than anything, more than the animosity between the programs, more than the College Football Playoff impact, more than Notre Dame puffing its chest out as USC backed down, that familiarity was the real higher power at work.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for real
Adjective
Unlike the real economy, the stock market has been on fire since April – propelled in part by the artificial intelligence boom.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Audiences connect with fitfluencers who feel like real, reachable versions of themselves.
—Abby Frank, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025
Adverb
There was a real buttoned up, simmering frustration [and] sense of competition.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
And more than anything, more than the animosity between the programs, more than the College Football Playoff impact, more than Notre Dame puffing its chest out as USC backed down, that familiarity was the real higher power at work.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for real
Recent Examples of Synonyms for real
Adjective
-
The real question is whether genuine mutual interest emerges from those preliminary conversations, many of which will take place in Las Vegas this week.—
Patrick McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
For most of the year, tennis watchers have been bemoaning the lack of a genuine threat to Sinner and Alcaraz, but here Fritz had the latter on the rack.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The actual culling is reserved for licensed hunters and local hunting associations, some of whom do it recreationally or as a part-time job.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Of course, the actual plot of Daisy Jones & the Six bears only a passing resemblance to the Fleetwood Mac story.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The interior of the shoe stays true to the brand’s line of classic winter boots, lined with a plush wool blend.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
-
One mailer in particular said that Persson and fellow Democratic candidates wanted to build apartments on 300 acres of green space, which isn’t true, Persson said.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Many others were very angry about it.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
-
And Doughty, who turns 36 in December and is still the runaway leader in ice time for the Kings, continues to be viewed in a very positive light by Team Canada’s decision-makers.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Through her book, coaching programs, and authentic voice, Keisha Leilani empowers women to embrace their confidence and express themselves fully.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
To embody the Like a Rolling Stone singer, the actor trained extensively, including five years of preparation, to learn to sing as well as play guitar and harmonica, and to work with dialect and movement coaches to make his performance feel authentic.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Headquartered in London, Longwave will focus on factual content for the global TV market across all unscripted genres – from investigative series, factual entertainment formats through to human interest stories.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
-
This factual omission extended as well to his professional life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
But in an interview with ABC News, United Airlines' chief customer officer, David Kinzelman, said most travelers will be unaffected by the small number of cancellations, and the airline is aiming to have the least amount of impact on its passengers.—
Ayesha Ali,
ABC News,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Yahoo Newscontinued that when prey struck the web perpendicularly, the waves produced were unaffected by the stabilimenta.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Saul wasn’t too silly to carry the drama, his arc was just too damn sad.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
-
And why is everyone so damn happy?—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Real.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/real. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share