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
Through its official media, ISIS stoked support around the world for its vivid unreality—the Salafi jihadist utopia—and presented a comprehensive and exactingly consistent picture of what life there was supposedly like.
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Charlie Winter, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2017
Yes, the unreality of Penelope’s fable-like frequency can be discombobulating; seasoned outdoors enthusiasts and Alone heads will probably pull their hair out at the lack of realistic detail.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024
Some kinds of hallucination, various psychedelic hallucinations among them, combine a sense of unreality with perceptual vividness, as does lucid dreaming.
—Anil K. Seth, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2019
Biden’s Presidency may have offered a measure of stability and sanity to those reeling from the unreality of the Trump years, but his reëlection campaign did not.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unreality 
Charlie Winter, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2017
Yes, the unreality of Penelope’s fable-like frequency can be discombobulating; seasoned outdoors enthusiasts and Alone heads will probably pull their hair out at the lack of realistic detail.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024
Some kinds of hallucination, various psychedelic hallucinations among them, combine a sense of unreality with perceptual vividness, as does lucid dreaming.
—Anil K. Seth, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2019
Biden’s Presidency may have offered a measure of stability and sanity to those reeling from the unreality of the Trump years, but his reëlection campaign did not.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unreality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unreality
Noun
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This ‘80s silhouette, which cinches at the waist but leaves volume across the shoulders and flares at the hip, creates the illusion of an exaggerated hourglass figure, immediately adding shape back into Jenner’s otherwise loose-fitting ensemble.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2025
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The pyramid functioned as an enormous calendar and was designed so that, on the equinoxes, the play of sunlight and shadow would create the illusion of a snake descending to Earth.—
John Newton,
AFAR Media,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Best known for roles in the Netflix fantasy series Sweet Tooth and Universal’s hit horror comedy Cocaine Bear, Convery is repped by Innovative and Entertainment 360.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
24 Jan. 2025
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The fantasy adventure will premiere at Sundance Film Festival as planned, with Saxon and cast in attendance at the Park City debut.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Vincent, on the other hand, grew up in a mortal family that did not worship the gods but found a friendship in Matilda, who appears to him in dreams.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA TODAY,
21 Jan. 2025
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For the Love of Sonic: Directing a Trilogy—With a background in visual effects and animation, director Jeff Fowler shares how directing the Sonic films has been a dream come true.—
Billie Melissa,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The season’s sensory cues—such as the scent of pine or the softness of a knitted scarf—creates a cinematic backdrop for romance, sparking daydreams and inspiring acts of affection.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
14 Jan. 2025
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Its juicy cheeseburgers and sweet, sticky Hershey's brand milkshakes and sundaes were the stuff of daydreams.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
22 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In a moment of delusion, Simon cooks up a scheme to get Wei-Tung married and secure their friend Wei-Wei a green card.—
Sadie Collins,
Them,
24 Jan. 2025
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Researchers noted the positive effects of ecstatic epilepsy and synthesized fifty-three theoretical models of delusion.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harper's Magazine,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Purpose Beyond Profit While most businesses and brands set their vision first and foremost on profits and possible gains, some see the bigger picture.—
Jon Michail,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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Rosen Hotels & Resorts is now under the leadership of CEO Frank Santos, a longtime Rosen associate who ruled out a sale of the company and vowed to carry on its founder’s vision.—
Skyler Swisher,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unreality
Cite this Entry
“Unreality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unreality. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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