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

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Time management is not really about squeezing more minutes out of the day. — Ryan Dohrn, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 The grounds given for the tariffs are not really very plausible. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 While not really at a comparable stage in his life biologically speaking, Shears has grown to appreciate the aging process that so many dread. — Josh Chesler, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 If the primary conversation around wide releases this year is that it’s been mostly the risks reaping rewards, this hesitancy around sending films to festivals is not really serving anyone seeking to win an Academy Award. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 23 July 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 5 Aug. 2026.

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