realistic

adjective

ˌrē-ə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce realistic (audio)
Definition of realisticnext
1
as in pragmatic
willing to see things as they really are and deal with them sensibly high schoolers who need to be more realistic in their career choices, as so few people end up as rock stars

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2
as in living
closely resembling the object imitated those special effects look really realistic—I'd never guess they were all computer-generated

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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 realistic Fitting kiosks were tested as early as the 1990s but were not realistic enough to catch on commercially, according to Photta. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026 The opening chase scene is gorgeously animated, the kind of sequence that makes Common Side Effects distinct visual style that is at once both goofy and realistic so mesmerizing to watch. — Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026 Their findings, published in the journal The Lancet, identify 17 threats that pose the greatest danger – but also have the potential for realistic intervention. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 Demonstrating industrial applications Because of this non-nuclear setup, technicians can safely test sensitive energy-conversion hardware under realistic operating stresses. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for realistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for realistic
  1. pragmatic
  2. living
  3. practical
  4. naturalistic
  5. lifelike
  6. natural
  7. vivid
  8. three-dimensional
Adjective
  • Other executives describe him as pragmatic, meticulous, and unifying.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Barkov, a workout fiend, is taking a pragmatic approach to his latest injury.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of pragmatic
Adjective
  • Researchers developed LEDs that emit UVC at wavelengths below 235 nm, which is also absorbed by the outer, non-living layers of the skin.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Communal living can look like co-living – where people choose to live with others in one house or building – or co-housing – which is a community built around a group of houses.
    — Brittany Luse, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of living
Adjective
  • This is the practical discipline of moving ever onward in the face of ambiguity.
    — Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Its experimental results could help determine whether fast-spectrum molten chloride reactors can progress toward practical applications, including future maritime power systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of practical
Adjective
  • Oakley also brings a welcome naturalistic feel to a script by Diana Reid, with a strong sense of nature itself but also the reality of economic hardship — or what stands for economic hardship in an Austen novel.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • There is a naturalistic aesthetic to the film, augmented by the locations, the costumes and the hair and makeup design.
    — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of naturalistic
Adjective
  • Highlights of the production will include a lifelike puppet portraying Toto, eight dancers taking flight (the most of any KC Ballet production) and ruby slippers adorned with 288 jewels.
    — Dan Kelly October 15, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Samsung The Samsung 65-inch Class QN70H Series Neo 4K Smart TV delivers a breathtaking home theater experience using Quantum Mini LED technology for exceptional brightness, deep contrast, and lifelike colors.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of lifelike
Adjective
  • Shooting stars become visible when particles of the ancient comet collide with our planet's atmosphere at 147,600 miles per hour (237,539 kilometers per hour), vaporizing in a spectacular display of natural fireworks.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • This part of South America often gets heavy rain during El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon in which warmer-than-usual waters in the Pacific Ocean scramble weather patterns around the world.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of natural
Adjective
  • The Bay Area rapper’s latest record boasts vivid scenes and careful character studies, backed by live instrumentation and occasionally staid samples.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026
  • While many of the more contentious and controversial aspects of his life are presented in one-sided fashion, friend and former manager Rory Holloway’s still-raw sense of betrayal at Tyson firing his entire team is evoked with vivid irritation.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of vivid
Adjective
  • In the opening scene of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the system easily tracks effects through three-dimensional space, which move overhead and behind me more clearly, rather than just sounding vaguely above my head.
    — Christian de Looper, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The team plans to investigate three-dimensional structures that could support more complex movements, including bending, twisting, and shearing.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of three-dimensional

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Cite this Entry

“Realistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/realistic. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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