reality

noun

rē-ˈa-lə-tē How to pronounce reality (audio)
Definition of realitynext
1
as in case
something that actually exists the ambition to make his dreams a reality

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in existence
the fact of being or of being real no one denies the reality of electricity, though few people understand it fully

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fact
the quality of being actual the reality of the situation finally dawned on her and she sat down in stunned silence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in object
one that has a real and independent existence you'll need to cope with a whole new set of realities once you've become a parent

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reality But after kids return to school, the summer out-of-office messages turn off, and the realities of daily life set back in after Labor Day, beach towns take on an entirely different look and feel. — Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2026 In the meantime, Baltzer knows the reality of the situation means Deep Isolation may have to develop its first commercial project internationally. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026 Nick has his own way of having his life touched by people who are unhoused and live the reality of homelessness. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026 Blue Water Autonomy is rapidly turning unmanned ships from a concept into an operational reality. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reality
  1. case
  2. existence
  3. fact
  4. object
  5. truth
  6. entity
  7. substance
  8. thing
Noun
  • But in almost every case, Spurs failed to sell at the right time.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • That state has seen nine cases of the bacterial infection Vibrio vulnificus in 2026, its health department said in a news release.
    — Alex Nettles, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of case
Noun
  • Wind would blow the trees against the windows and the humidifier would puff and David would deteriorate in his little slice of existence, running out the clock there on the very edge of other people’s real lives.
    — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Because the existence of our precious country, the country of all of us, the existence of Israel, is not up for negotiation.
    — Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of existence
Noun
  • Write down the facts, define the next step, and keep the agreement practical.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The teen suspect's father was also arrested on charges of felony accessory after the fact.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of fact
Noun
  • For King, the film represented an opportunity to not just translate her online charisma into feature acting, but to reclaim some of the power that can disappear when a creator becomes the object of someone else’s obsession.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Behind the bar, the object of her fascination stood in a pair of duck boots, maroon swim trunks, and yesterday’s Fair Isle pullover taut against his tummy.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of object
Noun
  • Certainly Larimore is pointing out that hard times lead to hard truths and hard decisions.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The elder, Alamagan, attempts to resolve the conflict through customary law and religious counsel, but the absence of truth fractures the community.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of truth
Noun
  • This difference of faith in the capabilities of competent government versus private entities has provided the space for the DSA to become more popular.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Similarly operating without a commissioner to keep things on track and keep the greater good at the forefront, horse racing entities also solved only for themselves.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of entity
Noun
  • For businesses facing a lawsuit, the existence of the suit is often more important than the substance of the suit itself.
    — Alona Karpinska, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The dramatic recipe involves equal parts literary ambition, risk-taking, and chutzpah, with a dash of substance abuse, cooked on the high heat of adolescent lust that brings Tony to Provincetown in pursuit of a schoolmate named Nancy (Emilia Jones).
    — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of substance
Noun
  • The vibes are awkward all around, and things only get weirder when Emira pulls Georgia aside to chat.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Here are a few gentle reminders to help ground you when things begin to feel a little shaky.
    — Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of thing

Phrases Containing reality

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realities
reality
realizable
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Cite this Entry

“Reality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reality. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reality

Nglish: Translation of reality for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reality

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