realism

noun

re·​al·​ism ˈrē-ə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and visionary

2

a

: a doctrine that universals exist outside the mind

specifically : the conception that an abstract term names an independent and unitary reality

b

: a theory that objects of sense perception or cognition exist independently of the mind compare nominalism

3

: the theory or practice of fidelity in art and literature to nature or to real life and to accurate representation without idealization

Synonyms

• literalism
• naturalism
• representationalism
• verisimilitude
• verismo

Examples of realism in a Sentence

He has a sense of realism about what can be done to improve the economy.

The realism of her dream was alarming.

the stark realism of the play

Recent Examples on the Web

But Williams, like Blanche, wants magic, not the realism of today’s TV drama. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Rather, achieving the utmost realism was my main focus. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024

But if Baker previously assuaged his fears of inauthenticity by focusing on realism and meticulously incorporating his research, making a film as deliberately comedic as Anora required a different approach. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2024

For each activity there are multiple coaches and multiple settings to choose from and the realism, immersion and incredible clarity of the virtual settings is mind boggling. —Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing realism

• anti-realism
• magic realism
• photo-realism
• socialist realism

Kids Definition

realism

noun

re·​al·​ism ˈrē-ə-ˌliz-əm 

ˈri-ə-

1

: willingness to face facts and to give in to what is necessary

2

: the showing of things as they really are in art, literature, and theater

realist

-ləst 

adjective or noun