1. plural of reality; the actual facts or conditions of situations as they truly exist
2. harsh or unpleasant facts that must be accepted or dealt with

Examples

• The realities of adult life hit her when she started paying bills.
• We must face the economic realities of our situation.
• The documentary exposed the harsh realities of poverty.
• His dreams clashed with the realities of his circumstances.
• The realities of war are far different from what movies portray.
• She had to adjust her expectations to match financial realities.
• The realities of climate change are becoming impossible to ignore.