really

adverb

ˈrē-(ə-)lē How to pronounce really (audio)
Definition of reallynext
1
as in very
in actual fact I'm really sorry I upset you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in actually
to tell the truth well, really, I'd rather go to the movies than go to dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in definitely
without any question that was really a sweet gesture on your part

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in extremely
to a great degree really tired after staying up all night

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 really And no, that really hasn't been able to, in a meaningful way, make up for the premiums, the higher premiums that people are paying as a result of those. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 However, an Inflation Dashboard run by Johns Hopkins University professor Steve Hanke estimates Cuba’s inflation really surged by 72% year over year in July. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026 When oil prices are really high, oil companies can make a lot of excess profits. — Julia Simon, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 The math was easier in 1963 because banking in Philadelphia really was a closed world. — Shubha Ghosh, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for really
Recent Examples of Synonyms for really
  1. very
  2. actually
  3. definitely
  4. extremely
  5. truly
  6. honestly
  7. certainly
  8. terribly
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
  • Arresting for sure, but c’mon how many people were actually going to pay that much for a hair-dryer?
    — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • So to be a part of that in any way is exciting, but to have the honor of actually playing her husband in something?
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of actually
Adverb
  • Issa doesn’t really want to sleep with Anton, and Anton definitely doesn’t want to sleep with Issa, but both of them do want to sleep with Paul Baker.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The video was definitely a hit, but for a parent, that much attention can bring mixed emotions, especially when some of the reactions include praise but others are not so kind.
    — Owen Carry, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of definitely
Adverb
  • This pre-seasoned, ¼ inch thick steel heat extremely evenly with minimal disparity between the center and edges.
    — Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Search for jet quenching Previous experiments suggest that a millionth of a second after the Big Bang, even as temperatures remained extremely high, matter did not behave like gas but instead like liquid with very low viscosity.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of extremely
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
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
  • Horror fans will certainly want to check it out, especially during spooky season.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • This certainly won’t be the last discussion the Broward School Board has on Schools of Hope.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of certainly
Adverb
  • Although none of these trails are terribly technical, there’s still an inherent risk that comes with hiking.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Patrick Cantlay is not one who sounds terribly interested in going.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of terribly

Browse Nearby Words

reallocations
really
realm
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Really.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/really. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All