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 And no, that really hasn't been able to, in a meaningful way, make up for the premiums, the higher premiums that people are paying as a result of those. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 However, an Inflation Dashboard run by Johns Hopkins University professor Steve Hanke estimates Cuba’s inflation really surged by 72% year over year in July. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026 When oil prices are really high, oil companies can make a lot of excess profits. — Julia Simon, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 The math was easier in 1963 because banking in Philadelphia really was a closed world. — Shubha Ghosh, Fortune, 31 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
  • The artists at The Library Show paid The Garage’s proposed no Milwaukee rap very little mind.
    — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Films can change the world, or at the very least, the people who walk it.
    — Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of very
Adverb
  • Arresting for sure, but c’mon how many people were actually going to pay that much for a hair-dryer?
    — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • So to be a part of that in any way is exciting, but to have the honor of actually playing her husband in something?
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of actually
Adverb
  • Issa doesn’t really want to sleep with Anton, and Anton definitely doesn’t want to sleep with Issa, but both of them do want to sleep with Paul Baker.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The video was definitely a hit, but for a parent, that much attention can bring mixed emotions, especially when some of the reactions include praise but others are not so kind.
    — Owen Carry, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of definitely
Adverb
  • This pre-seasoned, ¼ inch thick steel heat extremely evenly with minimal disparity between the center and edges.
    — Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Search for jet quenching Previous experiments suggest that a millionth of a second after the Big Bang, even as temperatures remained extremely high, matter did not behave like gas but instead like liquid with very low viscosity.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of extremely
Adverb
  • Since his confirmation earlier this year, the central bank has split further on whether inflation is truly transitory; last month’s decision to keep rates steady resulted in the most dissents since 1970.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The hotel truly offers a mastery of expert service, without being overbearing.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of truly
Adverb
  • Build your corner deliberately, tend it honestly and be just as willing to stand in someone else’s.
    — Jeanan Yasiri Moe, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • And honestly, that’s kind of the best joke there is — some classic America’s Funniest Home Videos type stuff.
    — Maria Bamford, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of honestly
Adverb
  • Five to six years ago, certainly, people were not thinking about agentic AI systems that can plan and complete multi-step tasks with little to no human intervention.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Olsen certainly hurt those around him, too, growing up, especially as his addiction spiraled and his platonic, romantic and familial relationships fell apart.
    — David Oliver, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of certainly
Adverb
  • Although none of these trails are terribly technical, there’s still an inherent risk that comes with hiking.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Patrick Cantlay is not one who sounds terribly interested in going.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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