actually

adverb

ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lē How to pronounce actually (audio)
Definition of actuallynext
1
as in honestly
to tell the truth actually, I'd rather spend the evening at home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

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 actually Suspicions that the festival was succumbing to fascist influences actually led to the establishment of the Cannes Film Festival as an alternative after the 1938 edition. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Listing a token requires continuous, audited disclosure of who controls the supply and how the asset actually works. — Michael Faulkender, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2026 There was no indication that Kharg Island had actually been attacked, and a senior Iranian oil official ridiculed the claim. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 But at the same time, actually getting shot felt like a far off possibility to him. — Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for actually
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actually
  1. honestly
  2. really
  3. frankly
  4. very
  5. indeed
  6. truly
Adverb
  • Furious drops the ball a bit in the interactions with Emma and Jay Easton, turning them into one-dimensional caricatures instead of complex villains, but honestly, this show isn’t really about them.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But honestly, what got me the most excited was less about the supernatural concept of demons coming to this world.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of honestly
Adverb
  • There’s no point building a humanoid robot that’s really good at a specific task and not very good at generalising.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The joy Lisa has with her RHUGT cast compared with the dread her RHOSLC cast seems to bring her really bums me out — especially because of how much of this trip is championing the sisterhood of Housewives.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of really
Adverb
  • Bugs Bunny being in the real world is frankly not as baffling as Michael Jordan’s detour into minor-league baseball.
    — James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • My job is to give people joy and entertain them and take them away from, frankly, at the moment, some of the misery of life, where they can get lost in the live gig for two hours.
    — Katie Bain, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of frankly
Adverb
  • The Fed chairman, who took office in May for a four-year term, has so far shared very little commentary on the state of the economy or policy outlook.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • With Adults, being funny is what matters most, and in that regard, this is a very promising premiere.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of very
Adverb
  • This shows that the new round of AI model competition has indeed reached the pricing level.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • If the Chiefs indeed keep a sixth cornerback, Kristian Fulton, Melvin Smith, Kevin Knowles, Kader Kohou and Kair Elam are the candidates in that order.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of indeed
Adverb
  • Since his confirmation earlier this year, the central bank has split further on whether inflation is truly transitory; last month’s decision to keep rates steady resulted in the most dissents since 1970.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The hotel truly offers a mastery of expert service, without being overbearing.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of truly

Browse Nearby Words

actualizing
actually
actuate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Actually.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actually. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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