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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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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Set to John Kander and Fred Ebb's award-winning score, the trailer offers a glimpse at the film’s blend of gritty realism and old-Hollywood fantasy.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
5 June 2025
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Her big-screen debut came in 1985 in Ridley Scott's Legend, a fantasy film that also starred Tom Cruise and Tim Curry.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
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In 1963, Johnson moved from Elizabeth, N.J. to bustling 42nd Street to follow her dreams of being a Broadway star and to learn more about New York City’s gay community.—
Tourmaline,
Time,
2 June 2025
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Ending this season with the Europa League Trophy was a dream come true.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
2 June 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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Ultimately, much may depend on their vision for Nwaneri’s and Dowman’s ultimate positions — and the outcome of he former’s contract negotiations.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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There’s also a haunted room, one which our hero is forbidden to enter and that eventually offers Teen Chuck (Jacob Tremblay) a vision of things to come.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unreality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unreality. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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