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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of actual
As a result, the actual ingredients or dosages may differ from what is listed on the label.
—
Devineé Lingo, Health, 23 Oct. 2025
Fears of a recession and actual recessions cause P/Es to drop.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
The train that Robert De Niro gets off of in the opening credits is the actual Blue Line of the city’s metro system.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Black Friday sales have evolved into a multi-week event, starting well before the actual day.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actual
Devineé Lingo, Health, 23 Oct. 2025
Fears of a recession and actual recessions cause P/Es to drop.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
The train that Robert De Niro gets off of in the opening credits is the actual Blue Line of the city’s metro system.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Black Friday sales have evolved into a multi-week event, starting well before the actual day.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actual
Adjective
-
Sometimes, though, the homeowners and their stories are truly the real treasure.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The film, which includes the real audio of Hind Rajab before her death, has attracted several high-profile supporters, including Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuaron, and Jonathan Glazer.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rather, her photos, documents and collages point to the extreme paucity of surviving evidence and the utter impossibility of a cohesive, factual narrative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
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According to Bower’s account, Halligan did not identify any factual inaccuracy in the report.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In my experience, this is especially true in the lonely hours of the night while struggling with chronic pain.—
Joni Eareckson Tada,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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For most Galatasaray supporters, domestic titles were never the true measure of success; Europe was.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Actual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actual. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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