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 These numbers represent the disappointing reality that our progressive, socialist mayor has chosen to stand silently on the sidelines regarding NYPD practices. — Robert Gangi, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026 In 2005, the couple got their own MTV reality show, Meet the Barkers, but separated just a year later. — Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026 And for anyone who dates a widow or widower, Kloots explained that reality needs to be understood from the start. — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026 The reality of the crime, as Berlinger came to see it, is morbid farce. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 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
  • The outcome of this bellwether case is expected to significantly influence whether other states pursue similar legal actions against AI companies.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For the 11-year-old Batisa, though, his immediate concern is not the disease which has killed more than 2,300 people among at least 5,000 cases.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of case
Noun
  • Its existence shows that ancient engineers were already designing instruments to convert invisible natural forces into visible signals.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026
  • His discreet existence ends when a bounty placed on his head thrusts him on the run with Thomas Shepard, a mysterious boy who may be Vision’s son, reincarnate.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of existence
Noun
  • Those people do not like the fact that their AI output could be detected as having come from AI.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Compounding the crisis is the fact that airlines are actively resisting standardization in a bid to outdo each other.
    — Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of fact
Noun
  • Unitree's product lineup spans bipedal humanoid robots that can walk and manipulate objects with dexterous hands, as well as four-legged robots used for tasks such as hazard detection.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • If the object is drifting through the field of view from left to right, place it on the far left to keep it in view for as long as possible.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of object
Noun
  • The Mexican government’s 2022 truth commission concluded that the cartel, Guerreros Unidos, and government authorities had been involved.
    — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Whatever the terminology, truth and proof in today's fractured and somewhat conspiratorial society could be construed as strange bedfellows.
    — Leonard David, Space.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of truth
Noun
  • The entity has embarked on a vigorous program of experiences and other projects to introduce the legendary band to a new generation of fans.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Demon Hunter, a band that formed in 2000, has filed a lawsuit against Netflix and other entities associated with the production of KPop Demon Hunters.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of entity
Noun
  • While Teefey denied the substance-abuse allegations to TMZ this week, Chapin’s article includes accounts from company staffers describing Teefey’s executive style.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The word drew on ideas from alchemy, where the agent was the active substance that spun gold from the mundane.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of substance
Noun
  • There are few things more beautiful than the corona, the sun’s atmosphere, visible only during total solar eclipses like the one that occurred last week over a narrow swath of eastern Greenland, western Iceland and Spain.
    — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In the 1990s, few lawmakers under the Gold Dome had the ability to get things done like Walker.
    — Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of thing

Phrases Containing reality

Browse Nearby Words

realities
reality
realizable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reality. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on reality

Nglish: Translation of reality for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reality

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All