Synonyms for

Surreal

Verb / sɜ:ˈi:l / Another word for surreal — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Something that is surreal is very strange and dreamlike.

Synonyms & similar words

phantasmagorical phantasmagoric dreamlike surrealistic fantastic bizarre unreal dreamlike weird strange unusual uncanny magical visionary fanciful odd eccentric grotesque whimsical imaginative otherworldly phantasmagorical supernatural miraculous

Synonyms by register

Formal

unrealistic fantastical imaginary dreamlike

Informal

weird bizarre crazy out there

Literary

phantasmagoric chimerical visionary

Antonyms

realistic ordinary mundane normal plain commonplace factual

Common collocations

  • surreal experience
  • surreal landscape
  • surreal moment
  • surreal art
  • surreal dream
  • surreal quality
  • surreal humor

Word family

noun surrealism
adjective surreal
adverb surreally

Usage note

Often used to describe art, dreams, or situations that are bizarre and illogical, yet strangely compelling. It implies a departure from reality, often in a dreamlike or fantastical way.

Example sentences

  1. The carnival was so surreal, with clowns riding on elephants and cotton candy clouds in the sky.
  2. The movie was surreal, with talking animals and a magical forest.
  3. The dream I had last night was so surreal, I was flying over a rainbow.
  4. The art exhibit was surreal, with paintings of melting clocks and floating heads.
  5. The experience was surreal, like I was in a different world.

Quotes

  • Life is a surreal journey.
  • Surrealism is destructive, but it destroys only what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision.
  • The dream was always running ahead of me. To catch up, to live for a moment in unison with it, that was the miracle.

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