reality

noun

rē-ˈa-lə-tē How to pronounce reality (audio)
Definition of realitynext
1
as in case
something that actually exists the ambition to make his dreams a reality

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in existence
the fact of being or of being real no one denies the reality of electricity, though few people understand it fully

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fact
the quality of being actual the reality of the situation finally dawned on her and she sat down in stunned silence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in object
one that has a real and independent existence you'll need to cope with a whole new set of realities once you've become a parent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 reality This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts king tides on at least 40 days, reflecting how seasonal high-water levels are becoming a regular part of our coastal reality, the mayor added. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026 The two-night ceremony serves as a kickoff to next week’s Primetime Emmys, giving out many awards in the reality, variety, documentary, and guest actor categories. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026 But for a few years, the wattage of the stars putting pen to paper dimmed a little, the realities of a Turkish economy that had taken a battering hitting home. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Educators thought this meant Pre-K classrooms in every public elementary school, but that turned out not to be the reality. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reality
  1. case
  2. existence
  3. fact
  4. object
  5. truth
  6. entity
  7. substance
  8. thing
Noun
  • Sure, that’s a special case that could’ve gone very differently, but Ferrari’s different car performance case in 2026 is the bigger factor here.
    — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The high salaries are meant to attract ⁠top talent ​and prevent corruption, and cases of graft have been rare.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of case
Noun
  • This shrivelled existence was meant to have ended with a change of direction which was officially ratified by the Premier League in December 2024.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • But comparisons aside, this is unmistakably a Lee Chang-dong film, its aching humanism reflecting the co-existence of despair and hope.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of existence
Noun
  • Adding to the turmoil is the fact that there’s no parliamentary majority that would support budget cuts and trim the deficit, which is near 5% of GDP—well above the European Union’s sub-3% target and a cause of additional bond market angst.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Ricki is charismatic but not otherwordly; if anything, the fact that James is able to seduce or threaten without appearing to do much at all is what makes Ricki extra formidable.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of fact
Noun
  • The robot has 76 degrees of freedom (DOF) across its body, while each hand features 21 DOF, giving IRON a high degree of dexterity for manipulating objects and performing complex physical tasks.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Rudin had stepped away from producing in 2021, after a Hollywood Reporter story detailed multiple claims from Rudin’s former employees of bullying and verbal abuse as well as throwing objects at staff.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of object
Noun
  • On the other, the inconvenient truth for the big-spending Premier League that the world’s best players continue to choose Real Madrid and domestic rivals Barcelona over them.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • That is one of many truths expressed by the films of American documentarian Robert Greene, whose work for the past couple of decades has explored the thin line between fiction and reality.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of truth
Noun
  • The Treasury Department on Tuesday sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines and a handful of other entities as part of its ongoing effort to isolate Iran's economy.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • And even though this new pork promotion entity was supposed to be independent, the NPPC essentially ran it.
    — Kenny Torrella, Vox, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of entity
Noun
  • One informed step will show whether the idea has enough substance to become part of your larger direction.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2026
  • The substance of the blowout at the bottom of Jessi’s stairs is all in the subtext.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of substance
Noun
  • The whole thing was essentially an American Cadillac crossed with an Italian coachbuilt exotic, at a time when Detroit was already going completely bonkers with automotive excess.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Georgia and Riley came to a peace treaty of sorts on the ski trip, so things are good there.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of thing

Phrases Containing reality

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realities
reality
realizable
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Cite this Entry

“Reality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reality. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reality

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reality

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