as in very
happening in the real world rather than in a story
real-life problems a real-life drama
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Regulators, for their part, are concerned about underage bettors and potentially criminal interference to tilt or rig real-life events.
—
Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The event invites fans to experience a professional hockey game from a private suite, blending real-life rink energy with the communal excitement of the show.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Any resemblance to real-life movements of the mid-20th century that edged into being considered cults was, er, coincidental.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Jan. 2026
Hodge will also reunite on-screen with his real-life wife, Marshall, whose work on the series is critically acclaimed.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for real-life
Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The event invites fans to experience a professional hockey game from a private suite, blending real-life rink energy with the communal excitement of the show.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Any resemblance to real-life movements of the mid-20th century that edged into being considered cults was, er, coincidental.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Jan. 2026
Hodge will also reunite on-screen with his real-life wife, Marshall, whose work on the series is critically acclaimed.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for real-life
Recent Examples of Synonyms for real-life
Adjective
-
This week, Nick Ripatrazone joins Drew to talk about how generative AI is taking away the very dignity of life and why the process is the point of art-making.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The last piece by Wagner features 13 musicians, with the trumpet only performing at the very end.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Those minutes were finally on the downturn Thursday night, with actual center Valanciunas returning to the Nuggets’ rotation after an 11-game absence.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The actual number of affected users is unclear.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Theo’s data helped teach the system what those early changes look like in real-world settings.—
Mayo Clinic News Network,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Human trials are expected next as the technology moves closer to real-world use.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Dell is finally good at something—but as her behavior becomes riskier and a shadowy troll threatens to expose her dark past, Dell must reckon with what her digital life ignores, and what real redemption means.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
When boys are asked to show up consistently for real people, academic readiness and emotional readiness develop side by side.—
Dr. Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But Wood said there is not much to stop agents from rearresting an individual with a final deportation order after that process plays out.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Given one final chance to tie, Mazzulla sent Gonzalez back in as a late sub, and the 19-year-old buried one from the left corner to force a second OT.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But the greatest demand is for human-centric avatars that can build authentic rapport.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
How authentic is the music on the 'The Testament of Ann Lee' soundtrack?—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Googoosh was one of Iran’s most famous women, a child star who grew up to become a bona fide pop culture phenomenon.—
Liz Ohanesian,
Oc Register,
11 Dec. 2025
-
From 2006 through 2011, Hannah Montana was a bona fide cultural phenomenon, generating huge ratings on TV and massive music sales, as well, and making little Miley a world-famous superstar.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Real-life.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/real-life. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
