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
Recent Examples on the Web
However, several legal experts told USA TODAY a more realistic sentence, assuming that worst-outcome for Trump on the 34 counts, ranges from merely probation to up to four years in prison.
– Aysha Bagchi
What is Donald Trump on trial for?
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 4 May 2024
Then there’s the character design, which reads somewhere between anime and a comic book, even if deliberately more realistic here.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 3 May 2024
At Matthew Marks, a violet-colored polyester sculpture by the German sculptor Katharina Fritsch, as realistic as if cast from life, of a hand lying prone, half open, palm upward.
—Holland Cotter, New York Times, 2 May 2024
Ensure that your call sounds realistic by opening and closing your mouth with each yelp, just like a real hen.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2024
That's realistic for real-world oceans, but dull in terms of gaming.
—PCMAG, 30 Apr. 2024
Automakers from General Motors to Volvo, alongside utilities and charging app operators, are calculating their financial cut as electric vehicles that allow their owners to sell power back to grids become a more realistic prospect.
—Nick Carey and Victoria Waldersee, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Apr. 2024
But Thaddeus’ family, like any long-standing American family, give us portrait of a nation without the fife and drum—instead realistic, confusing, confused, heedless, halting, and quietly wild.
—John Kaag, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
The National Marine Fisheries Service questioned whether the $740 million in state and federal funding needed to implement the voluntary agreements was realistic, since none of it had been appropriated.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
David Jackson, USA TODAY, 4 May 2024
Then there’s the character design, which reads somewhere between anime and a comic book, even if deliberately more realistic here.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 3 May 2024
At Matthew Marks, a violet-colored polyester sculpture by the German sculptor Katharina Fritsch, as realistic as if cast from life, of a hand lying prone, half open, palm upward.
—Holland Cotter, New York Times, 2 May 2024
Ensure that your call sounds realistic by opening and closing your mouth with each yelp, just like a real hen.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2024
That's realistic for real-world oceans, but dull in terms of gaming.
—PCMAG, 30 Apr. 2024
Automakers from General Motors to Volvo, alongside utilities and charging app operators, are calculating their financial cut as electric vehicles that allow their owners to sell power back to grids become a more realistic prospect.
—Nick Carey and Victoria Waldersee, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Apr. 2024
But Thaddeus’ family, like any long-standing American family, give us portrait of a nation without the fife and drum—instead realistic, confusing, confused, heedless, halting, and quietly wild.
—John Kaag, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
The National Marine Fisheries Service questioned whether the $740 million in state and federal funding needed to implement the voluntary agreements was realistic, since none of it had been appropriated.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'realistic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near realistic
Cite this Entry
“Realistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realistic. Accessed 6 May. 2024.
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