actuality

noun

ˌak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē How to pronounce actuality (audio)
Definition of actualitynext
1
as in existence
the fact of being or of being real the actuality of the Abominable Snowman is not taken seriously by scientists

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reality
the quality of being actual the actuality of equal opportunity depends on more than just having laws that supposedly ensure it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in realization
the state of being actual or complete the actuality of a manned flight to the moon would never have been believed a hundred years ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in case
something that actually exists these estimated tax revenues, from casinos that have yet to be built, are being treated as actualities

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 actuality But in actuality, Pratt did receive more votes to his total then — 21,870 more. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Daily News, 6 June 2026 The two of them stood on Syl's porch, which in actuality was just a wide, square block of cement. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 June 2026 In actuality, the term refers to the trace levels of cocaine and its breakdown products that exist in waterways. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 In actuality, Truman had won the election. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for actuality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for actuality
  1. existence
  2. reality
  3. realization
  4. case
  5. fact
  6. accomplishment
  7. achievement
  8. success
Noun
  • Noonan's column also manifests the larger substantive concern, already being expressed by some of those involved in the rapid development of AI, that the new technology could escape human control and even threaten the existence of humankind.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The artist Rosemary Mayer was drawn to the idea of setting one’s sights on this rich existence of the ordinary material world.
    — Nicole Rudick, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of existence
Noun
  • That is the reality physicians must be willing to acknowledge.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Aggregate data can obscure radically different labor market realities, and monetary policy calibrated only to the aggregate can miss the productive capacity sitting beneath it.
    — Katica Roy, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of reality
Noun
  • That realization became one of many while crafting a series on a book that spans 50 years and stretches across the country but that Kazan insists is built on the characters, rather than spectacle.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The many contingencies of realization scramble the binary of timelessness and time.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of realization
Noun
  • In the wake of the Cornell case, there have been calls for greater regulation and even bans on fraternities.
    — Richard Hall, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The number of emergency applications now rivals the annual tally of cases the justices consider with full briefing and oral arguments, Alito wrote in a new book released Tuesday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of case
Noun
  • The fact is, surveillance of women's intimate health data puts them at risk.
    — Sparkle Rainey Tribune News Service, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The Bass campaign, citing the fact that Raman appeared on Piker’s stream the same day, fired off an email to reporters claiming the councilmember had lied about her reasons for missing the Jewish heritage event.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of fact
Noun
  • Budge said some of her proudest accomplishments during her time on the council include Mather Veterans Village, the Sacramento region’s first permanent supportive housing development for homeless and disabled veterans.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Being in the playoffs should feel like an accomplishment, but winning a series would be even more impressive.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of accomplishment
Noun
  • While the completion of the structure marks an important achievement, the more important test is still ahead, as official commissioning is planned for November, after the remaining construction work is completed.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The credit ecosystem will continue to recognize these human achievements, while finding ways to appropriately recognize the contributions of their AI collaborators.
    — Jeffrey S. Flier, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of achievement
Noun
  • Every dollar poured in weaves the technology’s success and the US economy tighter and tighter together.
    — Yerbol Orynbayev, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
  • During an onstage conversation earlier in the week following a Los Angeles screening of Digger, Cruise discussed his pursuit of success throughout his career after having started in the business at a young age.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of success

Phrases Containing actuality

Browse Nearby Words

actualities
actuality
actualization
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Actuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/actuality. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on actuality

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about actuality

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

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

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All