as in real
existing in fact and not merely as a possibility
the actual outcome of the election was quite different from what everybody had expected
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 actual
Lightroom goes beyond this, though, with some actual video editing capabilities.
—
PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
The mayor’s critics, who seized on higher crime rates in 2023 to pursue the recall, have suggested that more recent declines are a reflection of voters being too fed up with the city’s notoriously slow 911 response to report actual crimes.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
One great thing about movies that actual politics doesn’t have?
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
However, these are remote and experts say may not be a good substitute for actual human interaction.
—Sarah Prazmark, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for actual 
PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
The mayor’s critics, who seized on higher crime rates in 2023 to pursue the recall, have suggested that more recent declines are a reflection of voters being too fed up with the city’s notoriously slow 911 response to report actual crimes.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
One great thing about movies that actual politics doesn’t have?
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
However, these are remote and experts say may not be a good substitute for actual human interaction.
—Sarah Prazmark, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for actual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actual
Adjective
-
The English teacher dug out the real recommendation from his briefcase.Adam Patric Miller, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
-
Never mind the state’s policies (high gas taxes, special fuels mandate and a push to end fossil-fuels production) are the real causes of crushing gas prices.Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Once on the record, Dickinson recounted the sidebar with the attorneys, making factual claims that Beles says were flat-out false.Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
-
Provide clear, factual updates on any potential policy impacts.Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
The movie’s true set pieces are the professorial villain’s ostentatious monologues using fast food, musical plagiarism, and Monopoly as metaphors to point out how modern religions are just conspicuous iterations of what’s come before.Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
-
However, our Editors’ Choice, GameMaker, does a better job balancing consumer convenience with true professional game development potential.PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near actual
Cite this Entry
“Actual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actual. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share