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
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
Despite these reality checks, the potential of the research is significant.
—New Atlas, 11 May 2026
For Atlanta, the only positive is that the Knicks offered the Hawks the ultimate reality check on their place in the league.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for reality check
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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
Despite these reality checks, the potential of the research is significant.
—New Atlas, 11 May 2026
For Atlanta, the only positive is that the Knicks offered the Hawks the ultimate reality check on their place in the league.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for reality check
Cite this Entry
“Reality check.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reality%20check. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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