realistic
adjective
re·al·is·tic
ˌrē-ə-ˈli-stik 
1
: of, relating to, or marked by literary or artistic realism : accurately representing what is natural or real
a realistic novel
realistic portraiture
realistic sound effects
Such films tend to be more expressionistic than realistic.—
Ira Konigsberg
: convincingly rendered to appear natural
Ira KonigsbergRealistic, sensitive artificial skin would be an important step towards making the prosthetic feel like an extension of the body.—Julian Smith
Julian Smith2
: able to see things as they really are and to deal with them in a practical way
a sensible, realistic person/attitude
trying to be realistic about their chances for success
3
: based on what is real rather than on what is wanted or hoped for : not impractical or visionary
a realistic plan
realistic expectations
setting realistic goals
It's not realistic to expect people to spend that much money on wedding gifts.
For the first time, people with cancers that have long outwitted science have a realistic chance of getting a miracle, too.—Sharon Begley
Sharon Begley
realistically
adverb
depicting a scene realistically
approaching a problem realistically
Synonyms
Examples of realistic in a Sentence
high schoolers who need to be more realistic in their career choices, as so few people end up as rock stars
those special effects look really realistic—I'd never guess they were all computer-generated
Recent Examples on the Web
Yet others are realistic: any action here will anger some corner of the Democratic coalition that, at the moment, is far from unified or confident that their team in Washington knows what’s next.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
What is realistic is that Israel maintains permanent control over millions of Palestinians who lack basic rights and, indeed, moves toward the destruction of the Palestinian people through active expulsion and death.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2025
Bregman represented a unique opportunity who did not seem like a realistic option as the Cubs quickly checked off items early in the offseason, building upon a roster that is already favored to win the division.
—Patrick Mooney, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
In the run-up to the game, Civilization’s developers have argued that the eras system is realistic.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for realistic 
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Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
What is realistic is that Israel maintains permanent control over millions of Palestinians who lack basic rights and, indeed, moves toward the destruction of the Palestinian people through active expulsion and death.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2025
Bregman represented a unique opportunity who did not seem like a realistic option as the Cubs quickly checked off items early in the offseason, building upon a roster that is already favored to win the division.
—Patrick Mooney, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
In the run-up to the game, Civilization’s developers have argued that the eras system is realistic.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for realistic
Dictionary Entries Near realistic
Cite this Entry
“Realistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realistic. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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