as in very
happening in the real world rather than in a story
real-life problems a real-life drama
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of real-life
There’s a bit of a real-life metaphor in that process: in sonically capturing that sensation, Khosla was able to free himself artistically.
—
Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
Premiere In great spirits, Fellowes also dished on all things The Gilded Age and the future of Downton Abbey, while jumping in and out of history, the real-life people and eras that have inspired some of his most beloved projects.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 June 2025
This real-life story of betrayal, manipulation, and premeditated murder inspired the new Spanish thriller A Widow’s Game (La Viuda Negra), premiering May 30 on Netflix.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 30 May 2025
The film tells the story of real-life UFC legend Mark Kerr, with Johnson landing the lead role.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for real-life
Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
Premiere In great spirits, Fellowes also dished on all things The Gilded Age and the future of Downton Abbey, while jumping in and out of history, the real-life people and eras that have inspired some of his most beloved projects.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 June 2025
This real-life story of betrayal, manipulation, and premeditated murder inspired the new Spanish thriller A Widow’s Game (La Viuda Negra), premiering May 30 on Netflix.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 30 May 2025
The film tells the story of real-life UFC legend Mark Kerr, with Johnson landing the lead role.
—Michael Nied, People.com, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for real-life
Recent Examples of Synonyms for real-life
Adjective
-
This controversial practice— likened to razing a forest just to catch a few birds— tears up fragile seafloor habitats, indiscriminately kills marine organisms, releases carbon stored in ocean sediment, and undermines the very ecosystems these protections were designed to defend.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
-
Legislators initially voted 5-4 to approve this year’s budget for the first time at the very end of last year, on Dec. 31, before White vetoed it.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Rather, while some roads saw some minor flooding, the heaviest bands of rain stayed offshore, lessening the chances for actual flooding.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2025
-
Only 41% of brands surveyed revealed their wage policies, and just 24% provided data on the actual wages paid throughout their supply chains.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
While the tanks roll down Constitution Avenue and the legal battle proceeds, the real-world risk is that Trump will seize on the threat of being thwarted by the judiciary once again to take the far more consequential step of invoking the Insurrection Act.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 June 2025
-
That real-world deployment required larger versions on the order of 1 meter by 1 meter (or 3×3 feet).—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
However, the real star of the show is the puffer complex.—
Celeste Polanco,
Essence,
3 June 2025
-
June 03, 2025 Listening well is an essential aspect of leadership – not just to maintain good relationships with employees, but to drive real business improvements and results.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
In the final episode of The Survivors, Sean tries to kill Kieran inside the caves after telling his friends all of his secrets.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Doja Cat, Tems, and J Balvin will perform at the first-ever Club World Cup final this summer.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Blending contemporary luxury with rustic Tuscan charm, the property features landscaped gardens, swimming pools with lazy river-flow current systems, tennis courts, and an on-site restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine with fresh local ingredients.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
-
Buyers can choose between two authentic paint colors reminiscent of the 1980s: Agave Green Solid and Colorado Beige Solid.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
By all accounts, these were impactful moves for a roster in need of star players and bona fide big-league talent.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
After pushing Leeds back to the top tier of English soccer and making the 49ers competitive again, the venture arm eyes the chance to make Rangers FC a bona fide winner again.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Real-life.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/real-life. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share