as in irrational
very strange or unusual; having the quality of a dream
a surreal atmosphere at the festival The whole situation was completely surreal.
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 surreal
Some moments seemed surreal: Jimmy Buffett played at President Bill Clinton’s birthday party on the South Lawn and George Stephanopoulos wandered the West Wing, alongside me.
—
Amy L. Parsons, Denver Post, 12 June 2025
But the scene in my neighborhood the last two nights stood as a stark reminder that this weekend is shaping up to be surreal, even by D.C. standards.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 11 June 2025
Birds arrive in the thousands, wildflowers bloom, and travelers come to see the surreal pink-and-orange-colored lake that only forms once in a generation.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2025
It’s been a surreal week for those who live and work in the Civic Center area, as peaceful protests, clashes with police and vandalism have erupted since Friday night.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surreal
Amy L. Parsons, Denver Post, 12 June 2025
But the scene in my neighborhood the last two nights stood as a stark reminder that this weekend is shaping up to be surreal, even by D.C. standards.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 11 June 2025
Birds arrive in the thousands, wildflowers bloom, and travelers come to see the surreal pink-and-orange-colored lake that only forms once in a generation.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2025
It’s been a surreal week for those who live and work in the Civic Center area, as peaceful protests, clashes with police and vandalism have erupted since Friday night.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for surreal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surreal
Adjective
-
It’s been reopened in chunks, thanks to the unrelenting optimism and irrational persistence of a corps of downtown residents led by Rodriguez and Rosa Chang.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
16 June 2025
-
On the other hand, especially given that the vote was still restricted to only a small minority of propertied men, the rise of party politics itself sharpened the age-old mistrust of popular judgment as irrational and easily swayed—especially by lies.—
Fara Dabhoiwala,
Harpers Magazine,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Sometimes your audio is all screwed up and echoing, there are weird pauses everywhere, and nothing interesting gets said.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
-
People talk about uncanny valley in terms of the look of these robots – there’s kind of a weird uncanny valley thing going on as well with AI artwork.—
Katcy Stephan,
Variety,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
This film is set entirely inside a taxi cab that Panahi is driving around Tehran, as different people drift in and out of his car with their own strange and very personal dramas.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
-
But one of the strangest well wishes came not from a person, but a 1,400-foot-tall building.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Solomon, 47, of Fairburn, was arraigned in federal court on June 17 on charges of using unreasonable force and obstructing justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia said in a news release.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2025
-
California Department of Education officials in 2018 found that school staff used unreasonable and unnecessary force in restraining Max.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
The nutrient can indeed help with all of those, but sometimes, the claims turn absurd.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2025
-
The College World Series semifinals concluded Wednesday, allowing Houston Astros manager Joe Espada another chance to marvel at an absurd ascension.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
James Hurley gives a moving performance at the Road House outside of Twin Peaks, and learns of an unusual vision experienced by his cockney co-worker at Great Northern security, Freddie, who will defend James from the attack of a jealous husband with a most unusual strength-enhancing glove.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
20 June 2025
-
An unusual addition to a historic cityscape courtesy of artist Jason Jones.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Americans face Haiti in a meaningless group-stage match Sunday before awaiting their yet-unknown quarters foe. 6.—
Greg Cote
June 22,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2025
-
If the packaging is inaccessible, the exemption is meaningless.—
Bill Schiffmiller,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surreal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surreal. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share