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
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Recent Examples of actual
They were also slowed by international shipping delays and COVID precautions, leading to missing the actual 35th-anniversary deadline.
—
Melinda Newman, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2025
After nine intense episodes of watching the Maguire doctors battle leadership shakeups, life-or-death emergencies and an actual hurricane, the finale is just as explosive.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Both chambers must approve it before lawmakers can begin building out the legislation with actual policy.
—Riley Beggin, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Police said that residents may mistake students for actual armed subjects, leading to unwarranted calls to police.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actual
Melinda Newman, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2025
After nine intense episodes of watching the Maguire doctors battle leadership shakeups, life-or-death emergencies and an actual hurricane, the finale is just as explosive.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Both chambers must approve it before lawmakers can begin building out the legislation with actual policy.
—Riley Beggin, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Police said that residents may mistake students for actual armed subjects, leading to unwarranted calls to police.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actual
Adjective
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Following Hailey’s response to the content creator, fans praised the Rhode founder for giving real, relatable feedback.—
Dayna Haffenden,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Consistency is key: Heintzman recommends dry brushing at least once a week to get real results.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But the most glaring factual error is the below, which says the Houthis killed three Americans last January.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2025
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The information foreign agents provided to Marshall and the statements made by the senator on Thursday were factual.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Voters are not famous for their patience or, as Joe Biden could explain, their fondness for higher prices, something that’s true even if this is a one-off adjustment.—
The Editors,
National Review,
28 Mar. 2025
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That versatility is, in a lot of ways, the true beauty of unicorns.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Actual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actual. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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