unreal
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for unreal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not real; existing only in imagination or seeming to lack the solidity of reality.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use unreal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
feel unreal
seem unreal
totally unreal
The "amazing" sense is casual and conversational, common in speech rather than formal writing.
Etymology
From un- ("not") plus real.
Full origin of unreal →Frequently asked questions
What does “unreal” mean?
The word “unreal” means not real; existing only in imagination or seeming to lack the solidity of reality. In plain terms, not grounded in reality — or, informally, so impressive it barely seems real.
How do you pronounce “unreal”?
“Unreal” is pronounced uhn-REE-uhl (/ʌnˈɹi.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “unreal” in a sentence?
Here is “unreal” used in a sentence: “The whole event felt unreal, like a dream.”
What is another word for “unreal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “unreal” include insubstantial.
What is the opposite of “unreal”?
The opposite of “unreal” — its antonyms — is real.
What part of speech is “unreal”?
“Unreal” is an adjective.
Is “unreal” a common word?
“Unreal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “unreal” have?
“Unreal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not real; existing only in imagination or seeming to lack the solidity of reality.
What is the difference between unreal and surreal?
Unreal describes something that lacks the solidity of reality or exists only in imagination, while surreal specifically describes something bizarre or dreamlike in a way that feels disconnected from ordinary reality. Surreal often carries an artistic or strange quality that plain unreal does not necessarily imply.
How is unreal used informally to mean impressive?
In informal speech, unreal is often used to describe something so impressive or extreme it seems hard to believe, such as 'that goal was unreal.' This casual sense is essentially a form of exaggeration rather than a literal claim about reality.
Is unreal formal or informal?
The literal sense of unreal, meaning not real or lacking solidity, is neutral and usable in formal writing, but the sense meaning extremely impressive is informal and mainly used in casual speech.
