unrealistic
Unrealistic (adj) means not based on a sensible or practical view of what is possible; not realistic. Example: “Setting an unrealistic deadline just sets the team up to fail.”
adj
1
Not based on a sensible or practical view of what is possible; not realistic.
"It meant all through journeys required at least two changes of train, making commuting to London unrealistic. Passengers on all affected routes were urged not to travel."
— Paul Clifton, Network News: Landslip wrecks London commuter services for 'weeks' (2023)
"Setting an unrealistic deadline just sets the team up to fail."
"His expectations for the trip were a little unrealistic."
"How much of our thinking is based on unrealistic planted scripts of drama, romance and violence?"
— Charles Hugh Smith, When Societies Watch Too Much Television (2008)
How to use unrealistic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes goals, expectations, or plans that ignore practical limits.
Common pairings
unrealistic expectations
unrealistic deadline
wildly unrealistic
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more unrealistic
- Superlative
- most unrealistic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Setting an _____ deadline just sets the team up to fail.
Etymology
From un- ("not") plus realistic.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unrealistic
holistic
sadistic
artistic
autistic
logistic
heuristic
statistic
realistic
ballistic
hedonistic
linguistic
futuristic
See all rhymes for unrealistic →
Frequently asked questions
What does “unrealistic” mean?
The word “unrealistic” means not based on a sensible or practical view of what is possible; not realistic. In plain terms, describes goals, expectations, or plans that ignore practical limits.
How do you use “unrealistic” in a sentence?
Here is “unrealistic” used in a sentence: “Setting an unrealistic deadline just sets the team up to fail.”
What part of speech is “unrealistic”?
“Unrealistic” is an adjective.
Is “unrealistic” a common word?
“Unrealistic” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between unrealistic and unreal?
Unrealistic describes expectations, plans, or goals that are not based on a sensible or practical view of what is possible, such as an unrealistic deadline. Unreal instead describes something that seems to lack the solidity of actual reality or is extremely impressive, and is not typically used to judge plans or expectations.
Can unrealistic describe both goals and portrayals?
Yes, unrealistic commonly describes goals or expectations that are impractical, such as unrealistic targets, as well as depictions that do not match real life, such as an unrealistic portrayal of a job in a film.
What is a common collocation with unrealistic?
Common collocations include unrealistic expectations, unrealistic deadline, unrealistic goal, and unrealistic portrayal, all describing something not grounded in practical reality.
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