1
as in honestly
to tell the truth
actually, I'd rather spend the evening at home
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of actually
That’s small consolation at a time when emissions need to not just slow down but actually decline in order to avoid some of the worst effects of climate change.
—
Justin Worland, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
Blue bedroom ideas are a longtime favorite for coastal locales and boys’ bedrooms, but the versatile hue can actually be taken in any direction, according to Sarah Montgomery of Sarah Montgomery Interiors in Chicago.
—Kristen Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 28 Mar. 2025
Fred is the gang's alpha male, often appointing himself the leader while not actually being all that helpful, at least not on purpose.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
But in this case, unfortunately, Netflix quite deliberately forsook what was actually unique about the novel to produce a series resembling every other historical program now on offer — with a few more olive trees.
—Anthony Paletta, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actually
Justin Worland, Time, 28 Mar. 2025
Blue bedroom ideas are a longtime favorite for coastal locales and boys’ bedrooms, but the versatile hue can actually be taken in any direction, according to Sarah Montgomery of Sarah Montgomery Interiors in Chicago.
—Kristen Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 28 Mar. 2025
Fred is the gang's alpha male, often appointing himself the leader while not actually being all that helpful, at least not on purpose.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
But in this case, unfortunately, Netflix quite deliberately forsook what was actually unique about the novel to produce a series resembling every other historical program now on offer — with a few more olive trees.
—Anthony Paletta, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actually
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actually
Adverb
-
During interviews, communicate the company culture and expectations honestly.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Just seeing the excitement of Chicago for both of us, honestly, was really cool at that time.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
That was the one that really got people pissed on their side.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Drinking more water really is key to glowing skin, an extra few hours of sleep does more… Accessorize Pearl Jam Pearls are back, as one look at the Paris runways will attest.—
Michael Odell,
Air Mail,
10 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Split Fiction takes everything the studio has learned from those games and expanded on it in the most creative and frankly jubilant way imaginable.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Per the inimitable Nicole Kidman, movies have a unique power to provoke intense emotions, and frankly that may be all that’s separating us from the looming robots at this point.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
Peters returns for the Manhattan Theatre Club’s fresh, surprising and very special Broadway production, following its run in Los Angeles.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Although such warships occasionally help interdict drugs in international waters, the use of naval assets for domestic border control is very unusual.—
Risa Brooks,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
And indeed, there are few of its peers with the ambition to create art on this scale.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The magic does indeed happen—the wondrous deceptions, the seeming distortions of reality, the sense of strangeness.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Use your brew time to truly take a break from the screen and enjoy your beverage.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
But has the Red Sox superstar truly changed his tune?—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Actually.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actually. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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