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
Her efforts as Venus’ conversation partner are described with the same deadpan matter-of-factness as Rika’s warehouse job, making the latter seem just as strange and unrealistic as the former—and vice versa.
—
Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
The service Despite the fact that the resort is, quite literally, removed from direct access to any major city, no special request seems too unrealistic or unreasonable.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
Her efforts as Venus’ conversation partner are described with the same deadpan matter-of-factness as Rika’s warehouse job, making the latter seem just as strange and unrealistic as the former—and vice versa.
—Sarah Chihaya, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
Add intense pressure to meet unrealistic body standards, and the chance of developing disordered eating climbs even higher.
—ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unrealistic
Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
The service Despite the fact that the resort is, quite literally, removed from direct access to any major city, no special request seems too unrealistic or unreasonable.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
Her efforts as Venus’ conversation partner are described with the same deadpan matter-of-factness as Rika’s warehouse job, making the latter seem just as strange and unrealistic as the former—and vice versa.
—Sarah Chihaya, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
Add intense pressure to meet unrealistic body standards, and the chance of developing disordered eating climbs even higher.
—ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unrealistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unrealistic
Adjective
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Don’t be ridiculous, Barron isn’t a sucker or a loser like your kid!—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
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But the increase is ridiculous.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Pittman said the defense would not be able to show based on the evidence that Gross’ actions before he was shot were unreasonable.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 5,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
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Breuer listed two city inspectors by name, accusing them of providing unreasonable timelines, intentionally ignoring information provided by Berrada and its right to the appeal, and for entering the property and interfering with repair work.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Characters speak in absurd double entendres no human being could leave unacknowledged.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 2026
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Instead, Trump will have won by simply refusing to tell a story at all, outside of Hegseth’s absurd football-coach talk.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Photograph from Metropolitan Nashville Police Department / AP The pair would stay up late talking at Marone’s house, and when Friedmann got really candid something irrational and thrilling in him emerged.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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But feeling appreciated for kind gestures and hoping that invitations will be reciprocated is not a new, unusual or irrational problem.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Well, the Santana band of course was just incredible.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
8 Mar. 2026
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They are known for their incredible kindness and hospitality, which says a lot given the centrality of hospitality to Iranian culture more broadly.—
Talla Mountjoy,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Park Board can issue bonds, something that was impractical for the Port Authority.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
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Woanger Set of 4 Wicker Storage Baskets Pretty, functional storage solutions are the perfect antidote to impractical minimalism.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Gore said half in surprise and half in jest after lasting just 1⅔ innings in a 15-9 win over Kansas City, which wasn’t even the silliest game in the West Valley on a gusty Thursday.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
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The fever dream of a sequel that’s also a prequel takes everything good about the first movie and turns it up to 100, happily ignoring any dose of realism in favor of silly, colorful, karaoke-ready fun.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Navarre Beach Marine Park is another local favorite, with picnic pavilions, dune walkovers, and access to near-shore artificial reefs for some underwater exploration.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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Then, in June 2025, the mission captured its first photos of an artificial solar eclipse.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unrealistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unrealistic. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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