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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Recent Examples of unrealistic
Despite that, Ewers, who battled injuries at Texas while holding off the people’s choice — backup quarterback Arch Manning — isn’t looking too far ahead or being unrealistic.
—
Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 30 July 2025
In other words, admissions officers know that students are using AI for various purposes in their everyday lives (whether intentionally or unintentionally), so insisting that it should never be used may come across as unrealistic and naive.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
More than tripling those imports was unrealistic, analysts said.
—Reuters, NBC news, 29 July 2025
The massive energy purchases in the deal are unrealistic due to market and political constraints, analysts said.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unrealistic
Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 30 July 2025
In other words, admissions officers know that students are using AI for various purposes in their everyday lives (whether intentionally or unintentionally), so insisting that it should never be used may come across as unrealistic and naive.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
More than tripling those imports was unrealistic, analysts said.
—Reuters, NBC news, 29 July 2025
The massive energy purchases in the deal are unrealistic due to market and political constraints, analysts said.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unrealistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unrealistic
Adjective
-
These movies are brilliantly written, but above all will do anything to get a laugh, no matter how silly, how absurd, how ridiculous — how stupid.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The video wraps with a ridiculous post-credits scene from the wedding reception, featuring Sheeran in a full wedding dress, totally committed to the waltz choreography.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The policy and specialist support environment is going to need to become more sophisticated, and more responsive to balancing needs and addressing conflict, unfairness and unreasonable requests / restrictions.—
Nancy Doyle,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Timothy Mousseau, a biologist at the University of South Carolina who studies organisms and ecosystems in radioactive regions, told the Times that the DOE's explanation that the wasps gathered legacy contamination for their homes is not unreasonable.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The Encore® family of azaleas stands apart from all others with their incredible reblooming ability, sun tolerance, and cold hardiness.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
8 Aug. 2025
-
That’s incredible confidence and incredible generosity of spirit.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Our worries are often dismissed as irrational—planes are much safer than cars, etc.—
Elaine Godfrey,
The Atlantic,
6 Aug. 2025
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Nothing adds depth to an irascible curmudgeon quite like an irrational love of pets that do not love you back.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Interestingly, the Vance memes were far more surreal and absurd than South Park’s caricature, which retained the simple, bloated design of the first few images.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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These movies are brilliantly written, but above all will do anything to get a laugh, no matter how silly, how absurd, how ridiculous — how stupid.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Researchers note that due to terrain and cost challenges, large-scale machines are often impractical, prompting research into compact, robotic pruning solutions.—
Jill Barth,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Because reaching 75 local prosecutors around the state on short notice was impractical, Moody opted to hear unopposed arguments from Southern Legacy of Life, formerly known as ARORA (Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency), before issuing the temporary injunction.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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So maybe that’s what the AI fathers and godfathers should be focusing on: not how to create artificial children, mothers and maternal instincts, but how to use their paternal instincts to build AI that gives way to humans, for better or worse?—
Pia Lauritzen,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Sort of like seeing artificial Christmas trees sprout up for sale in October.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Similar to the first film, families will enjoy silly slapstick mixed with great chemistry between Lohan and Curtis, who are just as good together.—
Katie Grant,
Parents,
7 Aug. 2025
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In one silly snap, Cannon could be seen wearing a red sweatsuit and posing with four of his kids.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unrealistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unrealistic. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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