real 1 of 2

adjective

ˈrē(-ə)l How to pronounce real (audio)
Definition of realnext
1
as in genuine
being exactly as appears or as claimed this shirt is real silk, not polyester

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in actual
existing in fact and not merely as a possibility asked her parents if the Tooth Fairy was real

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in true
free from any intent to deceive or impress others real folk who don't put on airs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

real

2 of 2

adverb

as in very
to a great degree this fish tastes real good

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 real
Adjective
The emotional stakes — which also involve a thieving street urchin (Baltasar Espinach) the De la Vegas adopt — are real. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 Rather than acknowledging the reckless play that earned her suspension, Thomas immediately shifted the focus to herself, portraying her punishment, rather than the hit on Clark, as the real injustice. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Adverb
Adams was out with her father, husband Darren Le Gallo, and daughter when things went The Pitt real quick. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 June 2026 Eighteen unique mannequins were created for the show, modelled off real and imagined people whose bodies don’t conform to conventional fashion-world ideals. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for real
Recent Examples of Synonyms for real
  1. genuine
  2. actual
  3. true
  4. very
  5. authentic
  6. factual
  7. unaffected
  8. damn
Adjective
  • Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley There may still be questions about whether the romance between Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley was genuine, and their secret, quick-turn overseas wedding didn't help matters.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • This is a film with genuine heart and authenticity that reflects modern Britain while speaking to audiences far beyond its borders.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 July 2026
Definition of genuine
Adjective
  • Countrywide, wine, beer, spirits and other newer forms of alcohol are categorized according to beverage type and are taxed often regardless of actual alcohol content or other states’ policies.
    — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • This anxiety often leads to rumination, where individuals endlessly ponder potential outcomes without actual preparation, mistakenly equating thinking with problem-solving.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of actual
Adjective
  • This underscores how Apple's control over its devices, from hardware to software, limits true ownership and poses challenges for long-term digital preservation.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • If religion is corrupted by breaking down the wall of separation, much the same is true of the state.
    — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of true
Adverb
  • Despite consuming mass quantities of high-calorie foods during competition season, most professional competitive eaters are very lean.
    — Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Music icon Taylor Swift and football star Travis Kelce, who announced their engagement in August 2025, are anticipated to tie the knot very soon.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of very
Adjective
  • His authentic character and fearlessness in the face of adversity will live on forever through this distinguished award.
    — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • This authentic modeling is crucial for daughters to develop a healthy body image and break cycles of self-criticism.
    — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of authentic
Adjective
  • Award-winning factual producer Proper Content is set to shutter amid tough market conditions.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 2 July 2026
  • Sotomayor, writing for the liberal justices, accused the majority of cutting the litigation short and argued that unresolved factual questions should have been returned to the lower courts.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of factual
Adjective
  • Unlike the 13 colonies, East and West Florida were largely unaffected by the British Stamp Act and other taxes that fueled resentment elsewhere because the colonies produced relatively little for the British colonial economy.
    — Hank Tester, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Undergraduate lending is largely unaffected.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Definition of unaffected
Adverb
  • Hodad’s is a third-generation small business, a San Diego treasure that makes a damn good burger.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Williams is too young to be this damn good.
    — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of damn

Phrases Containing real

Browse Nearby Words

reaffixing
real
real estate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Real.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/real. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on real

Nglish: Translation of real for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about real

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
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
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All