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
But the Skins, which Christie designed, are her actual attempt to change the world.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 May 2026
Without an actual squaredrop interior, the Basecamp V3 relies on its large Centori rooftop tent to sleep the family.
—C.c. Weiss
may 22, New Atlas, 22 May 2026
According to Page Six, the piece was not constructed from the actual veil, but was a smaller replica that was created by Dolce & Gabbana and gifted to the couple to display in their home.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Match the retreat’s focus to your actual goal — midlife and menopause programming, creative reset, sisterhood and connection, or general fitness and nutrition are not interchangeable.
—Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for actual
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 May 2026
Without an actual squaredrop interior, the Basecamp V3 relies on its large Centori rooftop tent to sleep the family.
—C.c. Weiss
may 22, New Atlas, 22 May 2026
According to Page Six, the piece was not constructed from the actual veil, but was a smaller replica that was created by Dolce & Gabbana and gifted to the couple to display in their home.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Match the retreat’s focus to your actual goal — midlife and menopause programming, creative reset, sisterhood and connection, or general fitness and nutrition are not interchangeable.
—Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for actual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actual
Adjective
-
Now, there’s a real mixture of guests hanging around the lobby and breakfast room.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
For audiences, fidelity is often the real sticking point.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Content that does not fail is content that answers a factual question in a unique manner to how all other websites answer it.—
TerDawn DeBoe,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Such is the nature of the law at work that this or some other factual variation may be the subject of a future ruling – and a future column.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Rarely were there any true freaks, which was where their sideshow stood out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Occupying four townhouses, its two-year refurbishment by award-winning architects Holland Harvey and interior designers Studio Est and Studio Mica has created something warm and true to its heritage yet modern, nature-focused and committed to social impact.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Actual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actual. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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