actuality
noun
ac·tu·al·i·ty ˌak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē 
ˌak-shə-
plural actualities
1
: the quality or state of being actual
2
: something that is actual : fact, reality
possible risks which have been seized upon as actualities
T. S. Eliot
T. S. Eliot
Synonyms
- corporality
- corporeality
- existence
- reality
- subsistence
- thingness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The actuality was quite different from the theory. the actuality of the Abominable Snowman is not taken seriously by scientists
Recent Examples on the Web Hospital executives want the public to believe there's a nursing shortage, but in actuality, there's a shortage of nurses willing to work under grueling conditions, the nurses said. CBS News, 12 Sep. 2022 Cirillo showed his investors fake bank statements but in actuality, never invested their money and used it on personal expenses, such as a trip to Las Vegas, credit card payments and two cars, according to prosecutors. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2022 In actuality, though, the research has indicated that the mutations were evidence of a years-long fight with human immune systems, not signs of a fundamental change in the virus. Andrew Joseph, STAT, 1 Sep. 2022 This is the image many people have of the metaverse, but in actuality, the technology is being implemented in a variety of interesting ways. Tom Fanelli, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022 In actuality, Release Some Tension includes some of the greatest of all time. Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Aug. 2022 In actuality, the pandemic has meaningfully transformed both work and family, and child care benefits are following suit. Isabelle Hau, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 In actuality, this tale was fabricated by the National Macaroni Manufacturers Association in 1929 to promote U.S.-made pasta. Jess Eng, Washington Post, 27 July 2022 In actuality, scientists said, the robots should not have responded, because they were not given information to make that judgment. Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 16 July 2022 See More
CBS News, 12 Sep. 2022 Cirillo showed his investors fake bank statements but in actuality, never invested their money and used it on personal expenses, such as a trip to Las Vegas, credit card payments and two cars, according to prosecutors. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2022 In actuality, though, the research has indicated that the mutations were evidence of a years-long fight with human immune systems, not signs of a fundamental change in the virus. Andrew Joseph, STAT, 1 Sep. 2022 This is the image many people have of the metaverse, but in actuality, the technology is being implemented in a variety of interesting ways. Tom Fanelli, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022 In actuality, Release Some Tension includes some of the greatest of all time. Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Aug. 2022 In actuality, the pandemic has meaningfully transformed both work and family, and child care benefits are following suit. Isabelle Hau, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 In actuality, this tale was fabricated by the National Macaroni Manufacturers Association in 1929 to promote U.S.-made pasta. Jess Eng, Washington Post, 27 July 2022 In actuality, scientists said, the robots should not have responded, because they were not given information to make that judgment. Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 16 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English actualite "capacity for action, effective power," borrowed from Medieval Latin āctuālitāt-, āctuālitās, from Late Latin āctuālis actual + Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity
First Known Use
1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing actuality
actuality
noun
1
as in existence
the fact of being or of being real the actuality of the Abominable Snowman is not taken seriously by scientists Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- existence
- reality
- corporality
- corporeality
- prevalence
- subsistence
- thingness
- presence
- realness
- activity
- genuineness
- life
- animation
- currency
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unreality
- nonexistence
- nothingness
- absence
- lack
- nonbeing
- potentiality
- inexistence
- dearth
- want
- virtuality
2
as in reality
the quality of being actual the actuality of equal opportunity depends on more than just having laws that supposedly ensure it Synonyms & Similar Words
- reality
- fact
- truth
- authenticity
- factuality
- materiality
- genuineness
- verity
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unreality
- fiction
- fantasy
- irreality
- phantasy
- fancy
- fictitiousness
- dreaminess
- surreality
3
as in realization
the state of being actual or complete the actuality of a manned flight to the moon would never have been believed a hundred years ago Synonyms & Similar Words
- realization
- accomplishment
- achievement
- actualization
- success
- fulfillment
- fulfilment
- fruition
- attainment
- consummation
- pass
- triumph
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- naught
- nonfulfillment
- defeat
- failure
- nought
- fizzle
- nonsuccess
4
as in case
something that actually exists these estimated tax revenues, from casinos that have yet to be built, are being treated as actualities Synonyms & Similar Words
- case
- reality
- fact
- phenomenon
- certainty
- materiality
- inevitability
- occurrence
- particular
- event
- circumstance
- element
- item
- thing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fiction
- illusion
- possibility
- fantasy
- probability
- potentiality
- phantasy
- eventuality