REALISTIC Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

realistic

adjective

ˌrē-ə-ˈli-stik

Definition of realistic

as in pragmatic

willing to see things as they really are and deal with them sensibly high schoolers who need to be more realistic in their career choices, as so few people end up as rock stars

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in living

closely resembling the object imitated those special effects look really realistic—I'd never guess they were all computer-generated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of realistic That exposed surprising but realistic scenarios of hard-to-detect unethical behavior in employees. — Monideepa Tarafdar, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026 The reality is that the tech is here to stay and the peeps in charge clearly want to be realistic about its benefits… Creatives may take a little while to join them. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026 In fact, many Palestinians have a clear and realistic vision for the future. — Michael Robbins, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026 If coaches cannot do any work for a new school until after their final game, would that limit the pool of realistic candidates? — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for realistic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for realistic

Adjective

Barkov, a workout fiend, is taking a pragmatic approach to his latest injury.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Pan, meanwhile, cast himself as a pragmatic and health-focused politician who would reverse the policies passed by Republicans.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of pragmatic

Adjective

Researchers developed LEDs that emit UVC at wavelengths below 235 nm, which is also absorbed by the outer, non-living layers of the skin.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Communal living can look like co-living – where people choose to live with others in one house or building – or co-housing – which is a community built around a group of houses.

— Brittany Luse, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of living

Adjective

One practical investment of time, money, or effort can give a larger idea somewhere real to begin.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Advances in electrical power systems, tracking technology, beam control and compact high-energy lasers are making the concept increasingly practical.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of practical

Adjective

About a year and a half later, Schlumberger developed the floral idea into the more naturalistic Jasmine necklace through successive drawings that took technical execution into account.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
The two performances at the center are broad yet naturalistic, and nobody can dispute that Harrelson and McConaughey are convincingly able to play themselves.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of naturalistic

Adjective

Samsung The Samsung 65-inch Class QN70H Series Neo 4K Smart TV delivers a breathtaking home theater experience using Quantum Mini LED technology for exceptional brightness, deep contrast, and lifelike colors.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
Tousle-haired, rosy-cheeked and 10 inches tall, Topo Gigio was remarkably lifelike — equipped with a moving mouth and blinking eyes.

— Kaja Andric, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of lifelike

Adjective

For Miraval The Red Sea, Foster + Partners architects have designed 180 guest rooms, suites, and villas with biophilic shapes and natural materials, allowing the accommodations to seamlessly fit into the landscape.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
Toxins were found in all types of cat food — wet, dry and air- or freeze-dried — even in products labeled as natural and nutritionally superior, according to the analysis released Friday.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of natural

Adjective

With pops of neon green and vivid purple, the rooms are stylish but not overdone—there’s no dizzying palette here.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Among them were vibrant cap-toe sock boots, including one streaked with the vivid combination of purple and yellow as part of a colorful contrasting-print ensemble.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of vivid

Adjective

An algorithm translates those measurements into a three-dimensional representation of the sheet.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Mathematician Hong Wang won a Fields medal this summer for solving the three-dimensional version of this problem with mathematician Joshua Zahl.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of three-dimensional

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“Realistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/realistic. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of realistic

adjective

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