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Definitions

unrealistic

ADJECTIVE
not believable or practical
Synonyms
STRONGEST
impossible impractical improbable quixotic silly unreal unworkable
WEAK
blue-sky floating gone half-baked impracticable ivory-tower nonrealistic nonsensical not applicable not sensible on cloud nine reachy romantic starry-eyed theoretical
Antonyms
STRONGEST
believable possible practical sensible tenable
WEAK
pragmatic realistic reasonable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

President Emmanuel Macron earlier said a military operation to free the waterway is "unrealistic."

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

“We should not spend over $150 million of public funds to reduce baseless, unscientific, unrealistic concerns about service tunnel noise from a very deep tunnel,” said Thomas Smith, a longtime Angeleno.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

She says her compulsive use of social media made her “feel very depressed” and that unrealistic images she saw on the platforms made her feel insecure about her appearance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

The timeline you’ve outlined is ambitious but not unrealistic.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

No matter how unrealistic or idealistic the dream might be, I’ve secretly clung to it with my whole heart.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.