really

adverb

ˈrē-(ə-)lē How to pronounce really (audio)
Definition of reallynext
1
as in very
in actual fact I'm really sorry I upset you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in actually
to tell the truth well, really, I'd rather go to the movies than go to dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in definitely
without any question that was really a sweet gesture on your part

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in extremely
to a great degree really tired after staying up all night

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 really This year’s six works-in-progress from Uruguay are a really diverse selection in terms of genres, in terms of geographical regions and in the way they are shot. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 There’s a quiet to that space, too, that really holds them in a nice way. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 The difference is that Jean really had one person as her community, and that person was taken away. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026 Those are the kinds of conversations that help leaders understand which tools are really worth investing in. — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for really
Recent Examples of Synonyms for really
  1. very
  2. actually
  3. definitely
  4. extremely
  5. truly
  6. honestly
  7. certainly
  8. terribly
Adverb
  • Veejay is a great model and sells Naheim’s and Jeffrey’s outfits, which are both really fashionable and exciting; Jeffrey’s burgundy suit is very femme-fatale Ursula.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026
  • Moore has earned the praise after having a very strong spring.
    — Mike Kaye July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
Definition of very
Adverb
  • Say what is not working, name what would help, and suggest a next step people can actually follow.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In the neighborhood, which is actually the oldest part of Prague, there are mostly residential buildings, embassies, and local offices.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of actually
Adverb
  • Snorkeling is definitely out—the deadly air notwithstanding—but perhaps walking along the bottom of a methane lake would be a fun diversion.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 31 July 2026
  • The game definitely has more than a little cell-stage Spore in it.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
Definition of definitely
Adverb
  • The wildfires broke out over the weekend across the Spokane area, fueled by very strong winds combined with extremely dry conditions.
    — Melissa Griffin, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • However, experts say that legal decision was extremely narrow, with some arguing it was likely misinterpreted by migrants and traffickers.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of extremely
Adverb
  • Marienlyst Strandhotel, right on the waterfront in Helsingør, is a truly wonderful escape that features sweeping views, spa indulgence, and effortless Scandi style.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Allow August to remind you that being truly ready is just the byproduct of taking action and being in the right place at the right time.
    — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of truly
Adverb
  • Leaders must honestly review past performance, confronting uncomfortable truths rather than defending old decisions.
    — Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • The historian Eugen Weber wrote influentially of how peasants who spoke languages like Occitan, Breton, or Basque became—or, more honestly, were made—Frenchmen.
    — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of honestly
Adverb
  • Jackson was certainly excited about that after being stepped on during an early part of 2025 training camp caused him to a miss a significant chunk of time.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Emma, on the other hand, certainly knows what that role is — now grown up and a mom herself.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026
Definition of certainly
Adverb
  • Unfortunately, decisions aren’t terribly effective today and according to Gartner 72% of executives say that bad decisions are as prevalent as good ones.
    — Tracy Brower, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Given that humans at OpenAI had decided to turn off some safeguards for the test, some have argued the outcome should not have been terribly surprising.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of terribly

Browse Nearby Words

reallocations
really
realm
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Cite this Entry

“Really.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/really. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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