not really

phrase

—used to say "no" in a way that is not very forceful or definite
"Was the movie good?" "Not really."
"Do you want to go to a movie?" "No, not really."

Examples of not really in a Sentence

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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.
Part of the trouble is the word itself, as compliance is not really a single ‘thing’. — Daniel Kjellén, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026 Which may not really be a concern once you're gone, but composting has no such impact. — New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026 Moyin, Yannis, and Mo are at the bottom for, respectively, not using enough custard, adding too many additional flavors, and not really caring about anything because that is his whole shtick. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026 Some people take the challenge on a whim, not really knowing what to expect. — Beth Krietsch, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for not really

Rhymes for not really

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Browse Nearby Words

not proved
not really
Notre Dame
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Cite this Entry

“Not really.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20really. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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