as in illusion
a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality
a sci-fi author who seems to have preferred the unrealities of his own fiction to the realities of the world about him
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unreality
As the novel progresses, this sense of unreality sharpens.
—
Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
The initial blitzkrieg against USAID in January had a feel of unreality: the natural reaction was denial.
—Dylan Matthews, Vox, 28 Mar. 2025
As in all her works, the author’s performance is captivating despite insisting on its limits, its unreality.
—Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
Julie Andrews sells The Sound of Music with her effervescent performance, and the wooden, awkward bits around her are, now, almost endearing — a kitschy self-own acknowledging the unreality of the whole operation.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unreality
Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
The initial blitzkrieg against USAID in January had a feel of unreality: the natural reaction was denial.
—Dylan Matthews, Vox, 28 Mar. 2025
As in all her works, the author’s performance is captivating despite insisting on its limits, its unreality.
—Lidija Haas, Harper's Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025
Julie Andrews sells The Sound of Music with her effervescent performance, and the wooden, awkward bits around her are, now, almost endearing — a kitschy self-own acknowledging the unreality of the whole operation.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unreality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unreality
Noun
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The entire space was stunned by the illusion of water gushing and animals moving toward the audience.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
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Donald Trump started selling the illusion of exclusivity half a century ago.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Don’t worry, in this fantasy relationship Briney’s character Conrad is all yours, no messy love triangle!—
Ana Calderone,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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The law that fantasy football supposedly broke was the prohibition on gambling on sporting events, a line that was blurred by fantasy leagues’ use of cash entries and prizes.—
David Hill,
Rolling Stone,
24 May 2025
Noun
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On this episode of Dinner SOS, Chris and Kendra help listeners plan the dinner party menu of their dreams!—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
21 May 2025
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Studying at Columbia—the home of such Palestinian scholars as Edward Said and Rashid Khalidi—had always been a dream of Khalil’s.—
Aida Alami,
New Yorker,
21 May 2025
Noun
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And so, what was once a lazy, crazy, charming afternoon daydream of a movie is now a frantic, insistent, often unfunny sci-fi comedy.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
21 May 2025
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As the narrative unfolds, her mundane tasks take a playful turn, with suggestive dance moves punctuating her daydreams, until Wheeler suddenly appears unannounced, leaving both characters caught in a moment of shy intrigue.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
13 May 2025
Noun
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But planted within that picture was a glimmer of hope — or maybe delusion — for Sabres fans.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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Researchers noted the positive effects of ecstatic epilepsy and synthesized fifty-three theoretical models of delusion.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
22 May 2025
Noun
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According to a statement obtained by PEOPLE that was then posted on his Instagram, Billy's NPH has been made worse by recent concert performances, leading to problems with his hearing, vision and balance.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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This has caused problems with hearing, vision and balance, according to the statement.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unreality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unreality. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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