1
as in ridiculous
not likely to occur in the real world
The movie's unrealistic dialogue kept distracting me from the story.
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2
as in unreasonable
based on what is wanted or hoped for rather than on what is possible or likely
He had unrealistic expectations about the type of apartment he could afford on his meager salary. The valuation placed on this company is completely unrealistic.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unrealistic
The proposal to study Texas annexing New Mexico counties is far-fetched and unrealistic, with virtually no serious chance of success given the legal, political, and practical hurdles involved, including the requirement that both states and Congress would need to approve such a merger.
—
Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
On top of that, the pay is unrealistic, and the hiring process is missing entirely.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Macron has said reopening the Strait of Hormuz through a military operation is unrealistic.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Candelora, though, said that cutting taxes on so many items in Senate Bill 1 is unrealistic.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unrealistic
Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
On top of that, the pay is unrealistic, and the hiring process is missing entirely.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Macron has said reopening the Strait of Hormuz through a military operation is unrealistic.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Candelora, though, said that cutting taxes on so many items in Senate Bill 1 is unrealistic.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unrealistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unrealistic
Adjective
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Curry scored their last 13 points of regulation, punctuated by a ridiculous game-tying 35-footer.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
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The Daily News must remove the ridiculous TV crossword puzzles from Ricky Cruz and bring back Jacqueline Mathews.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Indeed, because deportation is not considered a criminal matter, the constitutional provisions protecting those accused and convicted of crimes do not apply, including prohibiting unreasonable searches and seizures, providing a lawyer and requiring a jury trial.—
Erwin Chemerinsky,
Twin Cities,
8 Apr. 2026
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That has prompted constitutional concerns around the Fourth Amendment, which prevents unreasonable search and seizure.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But all jokes aside, that Howard Stern has not yet been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is, quite frankly, absurd.—
Malina Saval,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
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Grief is absurd in the same way humor is absurd.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Devereaux receives a hero’s welcome back home, but his irrational and violent behavior threatens his new livelihood, as does the knowledge of his cowardice held by Capt.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
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With the automation of more health billing decisions, irrational results have become increasingly common.—
Elisabeth Rosenthal,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Cleveland Guardians have also stacked some early wins, overcoming their below-average offensive production thanks to a pitching staff that has been striking out opposing hitters at an incredible rate.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
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Highlights include an elegant, compact profile, incredible-feeling low-profile optical switches, a striking mini LCD in the top-right corner, and Elgato Stream Deck integration.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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While some of her clothes were outlandish and impractical, most were insistently in line with the needs of an urban, often professional, woman.—
Eliza Goodpasture,
ARTnews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
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While some sites provide after-school for a fee, the cost of extended hours can be so high, and the schedule so impractical, that some parents are forced to turn down the city’s offer of free care.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Menu references to ancient reptiles — plus the brand’s silly mascot, a dinosaur in a toque — make fast food feel more like fun food.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
16 Apr. 2026
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What appears to be a bouncy, silly romp about a slightly surreal situation (Murray plays Phil, a weatherman reliving the same day over and over) is, at its core, actually quite deep.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Such spending flourishes in secrecy, and this year’s artificial rush toward a last-minute deal suggests that more giveaways are coming.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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Pasricha also advises her patients to steer clear of foods with artificial sweeteners - often advertised as sugar-free - because they're known to cause diarrhea and bloating.—
Andrea Muraskin,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unrealistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unrealistic. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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