How to Use reality check in a Sentence

reality check

noun
  • But this has all come with a big reality check.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 June 2026
  • And just to try to have a reality check.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
  • The couple tries not to spook hope away with too big of a reality check.
    — Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
  • And then here comes along somebody like me with a bit of a reality check.
    — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, 26 Oct. 2019
  • But first, a reality check may push you toward what has to be done.
    — Usa Today, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
  • And who would be more in need of a reality check than a thin, blonde white woman?
    — Jourdain Searles, refinery29.com, 27 July 2023
  • The study offers a clear-eyed reality check amid all the hype.
    — IEEE Spectrum, 26 Aug. 2025
  • But here’s a grim reality check.
    — Rich Karlgaard, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Sitting in the stylist’s chair is a great time to get a reality check — on both your life and hair habits.
    — Rachel Krause, refinery29.com, 23 Apr. 2021
  • Just like my advice for gauging the scope of your gym space, this is a reality check.
    — Dana Santas, CNN, 28 Nov. 2020
  • But Miller warned that the actor will have to deal with a reality check.
    — Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2024
  • Their ridiculous claim that the protests are peaceful needs a reality check.
    — Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 12 June 2025
  • If cashmere was a quick win, silk became a reality check.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Folks might also get a reality check.
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
  • What's the reality check there?
    — CBS News, 14 June 2026
  • Bryant entered the game on a hot streak but this was a reality check for the young signal caller.
    — Jeff Duncan, NOLA.com, 1 Jan. 2018
  • The smartest ones get a reality check on what their business is worth and then build toward a target.
    — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
  • In a stark reality check, Biden suggested talks could drag to the end of the year.
    — Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2021
  • The message here is to take some time to stop and do a reality check on your career path, or school major.
    — Phil Blair, sandiegouniontribune.com, 25 Sep. 2017
  • In the two games since, they have been given a reality check, a lesson on how much growth is required.
    — Chris Fedor, cleveland, 17 Nov. 2019
  • For those who just don’t want to wear their masks anymore, Weske has a simple reality check.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Dec. 2020
  • The reality check is that Russia is a hostile state as it is run at the moment.
    — Jerry Dunleavy, Washington Examiner, 6 Mar. 2020
  • Friday's matchup with the Warriors could be a good reality check, too.
    — Andrew Sharp, SI.com, 27 Oct. 2017
  • Your social life is getting a reality check.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
  • But in the moment, Frazier knew his team needed both a lift and a reality check.
    — Dan Wiederer, chicagotribune.com, 30 Dec. 2021
  • This was just a nice comeuppance for a person who needs a little reality check.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
  • And most importantly, a reality check that no one is coming to save us.
    — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 7 Sep. 2025
  • This is the guy who spent the offseason getting a brutal, clear-eyed reality check.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
  • This is all a reality check, whether McIlroy likes to admit it or not.
    — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Some people need a reality check, and Langley is here to hand it out.
    — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reality check.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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