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

Additionally, visitors might explore Mikhailov's iconic photographic series from the 1980s and 1990s, in which his distinctive mix of dark humor and stark realism captures Ukraine's shifting socio-political landscape. —Katya Soldak, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

Video games exchange carpe diem realism for escape. —Armond White, National Review, 15 Jan. 2025

Climate Cat Fox Neutrino Thomas Wharton Searching for a new literary realism in the Anthropocene. —Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 10 Jan. 2025

Its use of bodycam footage adds an air of realism and a camera-shaking chaos, and there is a healthy serving of grimy violence. —Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025

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