reality check

noun

: something that clarifies or serves as a reminder of reality often by correcting a misconception

Examples of reality check 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.
Your social life is getting a reality check, Scorpio. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026 It might have been quickly forgotten but for the tragic reality check in San Diego. Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026 Some people need a reality check, and Langley is here to hand it out. David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026 And on OpenLM’s Chatbot Arena, for another reality check, Grok currently ranks below OpenAI, Google, and numerous models of Anthropic’s large language model, Claude. Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for reality check

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reality check was in 1960

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Cite this Entry

“Reality check.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reality%20check. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

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