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Synonyms

realistic

American  
[ree-uh-lis-tik] / ˌri əˈlɪs tɪk /

adjective

  1. interested in, concerned with, or based on what is real or practical.

    a realistic estimate of costs; a realistic planner.

    Synonyms:
    sensible, hardheaded, common-sense, pragmatic
  2. pertaining to, characterized by, or given to the representation in literature or art of things as they really are.

    a realistic novel.

  3. resembling or simulating real life.

    a duck hunter skilled at making realistic decoys.

  4. Philosophy. of or relating to realists or realism.


realistic British  
/ ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪk /

adjective

  1. showing awareness and acceptance of reality

  2. practical or pragmatic rather than ideal or moral

  3. (of a book, film, etc) depicting or emphasizing what is real and actual rather than abstract or ideal

  4. of or relating to philosophical realism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • antirealistic adjective
  • antirealistically adverb
  • hyperrealistic adjective
  • nonrealistic adjective
  • nonrealistically adverb
  • overrealistic adjective
  • overrealistically adverb
  • prorealistic adjective
  • pseudorealistic adjective
  • quasi-realistic adjective
  • quasi-realistically adverb
  • realistically adverb
  • semirealistic adjective
  • semirealistically adverb
  • ultrarealistic adjective
  • unrealistic adjective
  • unrealistically adverb

Etymology

Origin of realistic

First recorded in 1855–60; realist + -ic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But the intermission that the set change demands seems like an intrusion in a play that could do without the realistic detail.

From Los Angeles Times

The researchers now plan to move beyond clean, controlled tests and explore more realistic conditions.

From Science Daily

Health benefits were observed with regular intake over weeks or months using realistic serving sizes.

From Science Daily

They stress the need for top-down system design, open scientific collaboration that avoids early fragmentation, and realistic expectations.

From Science Daily

"It's not realistic to beat the Russians on the front line, so we have to come to some kind of agreement. The military understands this," he added.

From Barron's