unreal

adjective

un·​re·​al ˌən-ˈrē(-ə)l 

: lacking in reality, substance, or genuineness : artificial, illusory

also : incredible, fantastic

Synonyms of unreal

• absurd
• bizarre
• foolish
• insane
• crazy

Examples of unreal in a Sentence

The town seemed as unreal as a movie set.

The fashion model looked unreal, like a doll.

I think it's unreal that he survived the accident.

Recent Examples on the Web

But the characters are expressive, and the medium is used to unreal ends, which is, after all, what cartoons are good for. —Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026

There’s a somewhat dreamy or vaguely unreal quality to this place so far from what one typically thinks of as civilization. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026

Edwards has an unreal skill set that’s still developing. —Zach Harper, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026

And yes, there’s a temptation to be just as lurid as the father in doing so, because what director Karim Aïnouz achieves here visually is unreal in every sense of the word. —David Opie, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unreal

• afebrile
• bookmobile
• cochineal
• nonideal
• peroneal
• philomel
• popliteal
• snowmobile
• waterwheel
• abele
• alkyl
• anneal

Kids Definition

unreal

adjective

un·​re·​al ˌən-ˈrē(-ə)l 

-ˈri(-ə)l, 

ˈən-

1

: not real, actual, or genuine : illusory

2

: fantastic sense 2