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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Another week, another ridiculous highlight from five-star Houston quarterback commit Keisean Henderson.—
Grace Raynor,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
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The duo overcame their absolutely ridiculous difference in height and went on to win the Mirror Ball Trophy.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Officers are able to use loitering laws as general warrants to circumvent individuals’ constitutional right to be protected from unreasonable searches and seizures, Wood said.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Nov. 2025
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The class counsel has argued that objectors are raising either points that were already decided, inappropriate for this forum, or unreasonable to address.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
5 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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Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Nov. 2025
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Rami Malek has incredible range and a more nuanced film charting his descent into a pariah and Cassandra figure deserved so much more.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 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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The brazen, silly grandeur of the piece was astounding.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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The Saturday Night Live alum's vast tattoo collection, at one point made up of around 200 pieces of body art, includes ink dedicated to his former girlfriends, as well as more silly, lighthearted designs.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 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 29 Nov. 2025.
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