1
as in ridiculous
not likely to occur in the real world
The movie's unrealistic dialogue kept distracting me from the story.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unrealistic
Both Southern California teams were tabbed as unrealistic.
—
Katie Woo, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Will targets be reached? Analysts and trade groups say the mandates are unrealistic because the rate that consumers are buying ZEVs is not moving at a quick enough pace to meet California’s annual requirements.
—Phillip Molnar, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
As part of the plan, Mr. Lieber is asking the federal government for $14 billion, which some fiscal experts thought was unrealistic even before the growing tensions with Washington.
—Stefanos Chen, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
More:Hegseth tells Europe a return to Ukraine's pre-Russia invasion borders is 'unrealistic'
That means that, if Ukraine became a NATO member, Russia's attacks on the country would would put the entire alliance – most of Europe – at war with Russia, potentially kickstarting a world war.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unrealistic
Katie Woo, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Will targets be reached? Analysts and trade groups say the mandates are unrealistic because the rate that consumers are buying ZEVs is not moving at a quick enough pace to meet California’s annual requirements.
—Phillip Molnar, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
As part of the plan, Mr. Lieber is asking the federal government for $14 billion, which some fiscal experts thought was unrealistic even before the growing tensions with Washington.
—Stefanos Chen, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
More:Hegseth tells Europe a return to Ukraine's pre-Russia invasion borders is 'unrealistic'
That means that, if Ukraine became a NATO member, Russia's attacks on the country would would put the entire alliance – most of Europe – at war with Russia, potentially kickstarting a world war.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unrealistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unrealistic
Adjective
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Even the most ridiculous forums make their expectations known.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2025
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With its heightened dramas, overdone Die Hard references, and ridiculous plot turns, Paradise is pretty preposterous yet asks us to consider it as a sophisticated prestige drama.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But the comparison of the former Pac-12 to the new Pac-12 isn’t unreasonable, either.—
Jon Wilner,
The Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2025
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Reasons to hire Gen Z include their focus on balance and staying grounded—which have the benefit of reducing burnout or unreasonable expectations.—
Tracy Brower,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The editing team’s incredible for being able to tell that story cohesively.—
Nicole Fell,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Mar. 2025
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This includes an incredible production team in Mexico who does not F around.—
Audrey Conklin,
Fox News,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Friedrich Nietzsche's idea of rationality, Apollonian, and the irrational passion, defined as Dionysian, have always been a sort of philosophical guide for Murano; his way of conceiving fashion.—
Alberto Calabrese,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2025
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There’s a philosophical view, best associated with the scholar L. A. Paul, that the decision to have children is fundamentally irrational.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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With his absurd hair and larger-than-life persona, Trump is a walking meme.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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And next year, and for years to come, through trauma and joy, this seemingly absurd ritual is going to be here.—
Edward Segarra,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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These scenarios are impractical or impossible with other virtualization software.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
28 Feb. 2025
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Traditional transport methods were deemed too impractical and stressful for the beavers, making aerial relocation the most viable option.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The space station’s microbiome represents an artificial extreme.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
27 Feb. 2025
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But stuck in the middle tier are 150 countries that must endure artificial limits on computing supply chains that are kept at least a generation behind US technology accessible by the top tier.—
Ashley Belanger,
Ars Technica,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Using medieval art as one resource, Ariès pointed out that children were often portrayed as miniature adults, without special attributes, such as plump features or silly behaviors, that might mark them as fundamentally different from their older counterparts.—
Anna Mae Duane,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2025
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This will especially appeal to the silly preschoolers in the group!—
Amanda Rock,
Parents,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unrealistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unrealistic. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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