unrealistic
Beyond practical possibility
Unrealistic describes expectations, plans, or portrayals that don't match how things actually work.
An unrealistic deadline ignores the time required.
An unrealistic depiction misrepresents reality: The movie's portrayal of combat was completely unrealistic.
The word often carries implicit criticism—calling someone's hopes unrealistic suggests they need a reality check.
Impossible to acquire
- unachievableCannot be accomplished
- overambitiousExcessively driven toward goals
- impossibleIncapable of occurring
- infeasibleNot capable of achievement
impractical · unrealizable · overoptimistic · wishful thinking · pipe dream · daydream · illusory · unfounded
Impractically perfect in conception
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
- naiveInnocently unsuspecting
- romanticConducive to love
- starry-eyedNaively romantic or idealistic
dreamy · perfectionist · visionary · impractical · rose-colored · ivory tower · unworldly
Exaggerated beyond reason
- overblownInflated beyond reasonable proportion
- inflatedExpanded with gas
- embellishedDecorated or exaggerated
- overstatedClaimed more than true
dramatized · overdone · outlandish · preposterous · absurd · far-fetched · implausible · improbable
Extravagantly unreal or imaginary
- fictionalNot real, invented
- imaginaryExisting only in thought
- make-believeImaginative play or fantasy
- mythicalOf folklore, not fact
storybook · fairytale · dreamlike · surreal · whimsical · fanciful · otherworldly · escapist
Not correct or precise
- distortedMisshapen from original form
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- falseNot matching reality
- untrueNot in accordance with fact
misrepresented · airbrushed · photoshopped · sanitized · glamorized · stereotyped · caricatured · oversimplified
unattainable
Impossible to acquire
- unachievableCannot be accomplished
- overambitiousExcessively driven toward goals
- impossibleIncapable of occurring
infeasible · impractical · unrealizable · overoptimistic · wishful thinking · pipe dream · daydream · illusory · unfounded · misguided
utopian
Impractically perfect in conception
starry-eyed · dreamy · perfectionist · visionary · impractical · rose-colored · ivory tower · unworldly
hyperbolic
Exaggerated beyond reason
- overblownInflated beyond reasonable proportion
- inflatedExpanded with gas
- embellishedDecorated or exaggerated
overstated · dramatized · overdone · outlandish · preposterous · absurd · far-fetched · implausible · improbable · unbelievable
fantastical
Extravagantly unreal or imaginary
- fictionalNot real, invented
- imaginaryExisting only in thought
- make-believeImaginative play or fantasy
mythical · storybook · fairytale · dreamlike · surreal · whimsical · fanciful · otherworldly · escapist · romanticized
inaccurate
Not correct or precise
- distortedMisshapen from original form
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- falseNot matching reality
untrue · misrepresented · airbrushed · photoshopped · sanitized · glamorized · stereotyped · caricatured · oversimplified · one-dimensional
- idealisticidealist, idealistic, utopian, quixotic, dreamer
- unbelievableunbelievable, incredible, inconceivable, implausible, unthinkable
- cartoon stylebig eyes, exaggerated, bold outlines, thick lines, stylized
- chancechance, luck, lottery, dice, randomness
unrealisticrealistic
True to life
practical · pragmatic · feasible · achievable · workable
unrealisticrealistic
True to life
lifelike · believable · veridical · naturalistic · faithful
unrealisticrealistic
True to life
pragmatic · sensible · reasonable · rational · clear-eyed