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
Experts increasingly agree that decarbonization without nuclear power is unrealistic.
—
Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025
But many others are chasing unrealistic nuclear visions.
—W. Gyude Moore, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
For many who grew up after the Cold War and without the constant fear of nuclear war, these threats may seem distant and unrealistic.
—Ernest J. Moniz, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
In January 1941, the idea of using explosives to bring together subcritical masses of uranium was rejected by the experts of the Soviet Defense Commissariat as flawed and unrealistic.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unrealistic
Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025
But many others are chasing unrealistic nuclear visions.
—W. Gyude Moore, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
For many who grew up after the Cold War and without the constant fear of nuclear war, these threats may seem distant and unrealistic.
—Ernest J. Moniz, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
In January 1941, the idea of using explosives to bring together subcritical masses of uranium was rejected by the experts of the Soviet Defense Commissariat as flawed and unrealistic.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unrealistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unrealistic
Adjective
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But like that game, a ridiculous number of items can be used to bolster attacks in battle.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
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Identifying a potentially high-upside asset can lead to ridiculous value in a few months.—
Jim Root,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Civil Code Section 4740 grandfathers rental prohibitions, while Section 4741 bans rental prohibitions and unreasonable restrictions.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
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But this is perhaps an artificial high tempo, dictated by an unreasonable number of substitutes.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The combination of absurd temperatures, damp humidity, and having my hair stick to my neck daily was driving me insane.—
Kayla Greaves,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
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Plus, who doesn’t love Nick Offerman sharing the screen with absurd facial hair?—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Satire is brilliant for exposing the folly of humans, especially those in power and those working in bad faith—the hypocrites and the frauds—and can be particularly potent when set in irrational or dystopic times.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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But why are these fears irrational?—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Obviously, Coop — incredible player and somebody who can play really anywhere in the secondary.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
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The shop brings the soul of Long Island’s incredible deli culture upstate, with a menu packed with hot Italian heroes, cold subs, and bagel breakfast sandwiches.—
Cat Sposato,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Critics lambasted those policies as impractical at best, reckless at worst.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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The Countach is also famously impractical and a pain to drive, so the next buyer will likely be taking on a more-than-usual stewardship role in terms of old supercars, the service not being to themselves but to the wider community, which gets to look at the Countach rather than operate it.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In the picture, Diplo makes a silly face while Trudeau stares straight into the camera.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
3 Nov. 2025
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This fourth installment finds plenty to mine from Jigsaw and his diabolical traps — and yes, that silly tricycle-riding clown gets some screen time.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Tests in both artificial and real human saliva produced the same result, demonstrating that the single-application ELR coating could recreate enamel and withstand real-world impacts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Nov. 2025
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The artificial plateau made from earth, with connecting causeways, canals and corridors, was built in southeastern Mexico 3,050 years ago and used for around 300 years.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unrealistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unrealistic. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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