divorced from reality

USAGE SUMMARY

"divorced from reality" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is disconnected from true events, facts, or situations. For example, "His beliefs about the future of the stock market seemed divorced from reality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Senator John McCain's tax talk is particularly divorced from reality.

The New York Times

It was not divorced from reality from the word go.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's just divorced from reality," Bolton told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

Becoming divorced from reality is a very dangerous thing in life, action, and politics, says Gessen.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The London suburb of media depiction is totally divorced from reality.

Independent

Draft speculation is not completely divorced from reality, but they are not exactly cohabitating, either.

The New York Times - Sports

It exists on this very big mythic level, but it's not divorced from reality".

The New Yorker

Those guidelines, which he called "artificial, wooden, mechanical and divorced from reality," called for life sentences.

The New York Times

Mitchell's proposals made headlines, but they were largely divorced from reality.

The Guardian

These claims are violently divorced from reality, as we've explained previously.

The Washington Post

There's just one problem with this narrative: It is divorced from reality.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "divorced from reality", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates a significant disconnect from verifiable facts or commonly accepted understandings. Provide specific examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "divorced from reality" solely to express disagreement with an opinion. Instead, reserve it for situations where there is demonstrable evidence of factual inaccuracy or delusional thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divorced from reality" functions as an adjective phrase, typically used to describe a noun (person, idea, plan, etc.) that is not connected to or based on real-world facts or reasonable considerations. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "divorced from reality" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something disconnected from facts and reasonable interpretations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to criticize or express concern about ideas, plans, or behaviors that deviate significantly from verifiable information. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various writing styles. Related alternatives include "out of touch with reality" and "detached from reality", offering nuanced ways to convey a disconnection from factual circumstances. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear and supported demonstration of the disconnect to avoid misuse in subjective contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disconnected from reality

Focuses on the broken connection or link to real-world situations.

detached from reality

Highlights a sense of separation or estrangement from real events.

removed from reality

Emphasizes the distance or remoteness from actual circumstances.

out of touch with reality

Focuses on a lack of understanding or awareness of real-world situations.

out of sync with reality

Emphasizes a misalignment or disharmony with the actual state of affairs.

unrealistic

Indicates a lack of practicality or feasibility in one's perceptions or plans.

delusional

Suggests a fixed false belief that is resistant to reason or evidence.

estranged from reality

Highlights a feeling of alienation or unfamiliarity with real circumstances.

living in a fantasy world

Implies a state of delusion where imagined scenarios are prioritized over facts.

lost in their own world

Implies a self-imposed detachment from external realities and immersion in personal thoughts or fantasies.

FAQs

How can I use "divorced from reality" in a sentence?

You can use "divorced from reality" to describe ideas, statements, or behaviors that are not based on facts or reasonable interpretations of events. For example, "His economic policies seem completely "divorced from reality" given the current recession".

What's the difference between "out of touch with reality" and "divorced from reality"?

"Out of touch with reality" suggests a lack of awareness or understanding, while "divorced from reality" implies a more significant and active separation or denial of factual information.

What can I say instead of "divorced from reality"?

You can use alternatives like "unrealistic", "delusional", or "out of touch with reality" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "divorced from reality"?

It's appropriate to use "divorced from reality" when describing situations where a person, idea, or plan is demonstrably out of sync with verifiable facts and logical reasoning. It should not be used lightly or simply to express disagreement.