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 Valuation Myth Emerging franchisors also tend to have unrealistic expectations about valuation.
—
Patrick Galleher, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The employees specifically criticized unrealistic deadlines, complex training sessions, and confusion about the training’s practical effects.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
McDavid said buyers with deep pockets can have unrealistic expectations, wanting a rural property without sacrificing convenience.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
However, this kind of scenario is extreme and unrealistic.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unrealistic
Patrick Galleher, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The employees specifically criticized unrealistic deadlines, complex training sessions, and confusion about the training’s practical effects.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
McDavid said buyers with deep pockets can have unrealistic expectations, wanting a rural property without sacrificing convenience.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
However, this kind of scenario is extreme and unrealistic.
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unrealistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unrealistic
Adjective
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To anyone paying attention, this measure is ridiculous and obviously a set up to demand something to address this yawning chasm for a person trying to rent a two-bedroom apartment.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Biden has denied these allegations, calling them ridiculous and false.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Justice Department in its June 2024 report on problems with policing in Phoenix found that police delayed medical assistance to people who appeared to be incapacitated as a result of the use of force by officers and used unreasonable force on people who had already been wounded by officers.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Investors had initially feared that ASDA’s undercuts would lead to market leaders Tesco and Sainsbury’s having to lower prices to an unreasonable point in order to maintain their market shares.—
John Choong,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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He's been incredible with the Mets, and his power is almost impossible to replace.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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Wolves have taken a bit of a gamble – could be incredible, could be a flop.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Maura’s performance makes Maria Angeles so magnetic and eccentric — earthily practical on some matters, dizzily irrational on others, and sympathetically true to herself on all fronts — that all the film’s other players want for detail and texture by comparison.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
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The roll call of people across the decades who have had access to nuclear weapons includes many who are considerably less rational than the irrational rest of us.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These charges are absurd and unjust.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
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The content is absurd, borderline uncomfortable and consistently viral.—
Leeron Walter,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But, because mange often accompanies secondary infections and nutritional imbalances, treatment in the wild is impractical, making the work at Walden's Puddle and other rehabilitation facilities all the more important, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Communications Manager Jason Harmon said.—
Katie Nixon,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Sep. 2025
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The internet faced ridicule for its impractical nature during its initial development phase.—
Sadhasivam Mohanadas,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Just a straight, artificial line.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Sep. 2025
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On Wall Street, Friday’s heaviest weight on the stock market was Nvidia, the chip company that’s become the face of the artificial-intelligence boom.—
Stan Choe,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Alex is much more bookish, for example, although Cole is clever and can be academic and is in no way some silly, stupid jock or anything— but, in the obvious ways — and Cole is more sporty in the obvious ways.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
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This is not simply some silly bathroom joke.—
Pat Graham,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unrealistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unrealistic. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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