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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 Those realistic works contrast with more romantic views of farming, which some artists filtered through a bucolic lens that no doubt concealed a grimmer reality. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026 Its Quantum Dot technology enhances colors with over a billion realistic shades, while Toshiba's Regza Engine dynamically upscales lower-resolution cable and streaming signals to crisp 4K clarity. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2026 Programs such as HyCAT are intended to provide more frequent opportunities to test technologies in realistic flight conditions, potentially allowing developers to identify problems earlier and iterate more quickly. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026 Elsewhere, a realistic fight breaks out — until someone yells cut. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Sep. 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
  • The former are dreamy, romantic; the latter, hard-nosed, pragmatic.
    — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Fischer-Rosenthal takes a pragmatic view on whether set-jetting will permanently ruin these enclaves, pointing out that ultra-luxury pricing acts as a natural barrier to entry.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of pragmatic
Adjective
  • 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
  • For now, Rooral only operates in Benarraba, but similar programs are starting to pop up across Spain—like Anceu, which offers a rural co-living program in Galicia.
    — Liz Provencher, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of living
Adjective
  • Earlier models relied on broad hydrological assumptions and missed practical engineering hurdles.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Giving manufacturers a practical way to reverse that integrity at the end of life could help turn some of those expensive materials back into feedstock instead of waste.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of practical
Adjective
  • The result is a twisted, naturalistic fairytale about structural realities; with the right boot-heel at one’s neck, even ostensibly life-giving forces like forests and rivers can be turned against innocent people.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • There’s enough footage from the prior films to get you up to speed quickly, and none of the individual story arcs matter nearly as much as the larger sense that each season of human life is worthy of its own naturalistic exploration.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of naturalistic
Adjective
  • From artwork and tattoos to lifelike casts and preservation, here are some unique ways to memorialize a once-in-a-lifetime pet.
    — Yvonne Villasenor, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Every scene is optimized in real time for infinite contrast, deep blacks, and lifelike highlight detail without blooming.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of lifelike
Adjective
  • Let your confidence come through in choices that feel honest and natural.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
  • After phasing it out in 2022, the brand brought back the original formula last year in response to fans who missed its weightless feel and natural-looking medium coverage.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of natural
Adjective
  • Those who were born may not be old enough to have the vivid recollections of an older generation.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Come fall, particularly October, the woodlands draw fall-color enthusiasts with vivid maples, birches, and beeches.
    — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of vivid
Adjective
  • How world maps compare Maps project a three-dimensional sphere onto a two-dimensional flat space.
    — Jewel Bright, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Once on site, the company generates a three-dimensional model and compares it with the architectural plans.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 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 11 Sep. 2026.

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