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

Getting to play Survivor once is a dream, getting to play twice and on a monumental anniversary season is unreal. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026

The pressure King felt was unreal. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026

Scenes are rendered with an diorama-esque economy of mise en scene that feels unreal, almost game-like — an aesthetic met with meaning in the film’s final act — and Nagahisa and Takeda take every opportunity to present the city from a different, often discomfiting angle. —Blake Simons, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026

Fitting for someone who owes his job to reality TV, even though at times what went on Wednesday seemed unreal. —Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Jan. 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