realism

noun

re·​al·​ism ˈrē-ə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce realism (audio)
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

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 Through fantastical moments of magical realism nestled into perfect encapsulations of ’hood life, viewers got a story of two fools trying to figure out their place in the world. Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 The juxtaposition here of magical realism and hard realism, jarring at first, is emotionally overpowering. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Feb. 2024 Based on a seminal work of magical realism by Juan Rulfo, which in turn inspired an influential 1967 movie from Carlos Velo, the story was a favorite of Prieto’s, who had been looking to move behind the camera. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 Feb. 2024 In the hands of the endlessly inventive comedian, the tale of a boy who pulls himself up by his bootstraps and seeks out fame and fortune becomes a madcap delight complete with a zingy script, cartoonish punch-ups, collapsing sets, and a heady dose of magical realism. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2024 Its arrival upended conventions for young readers, whose fervor for realism made mature themes marketable. Melena Ryzik Adali Schell, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024 Don’t buy the argument that cutting Ukraine loose would be a victory for sophisticated realism. Hal Brands, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 Yet, for as long as deep realism remains the foremost priority, constructed languages are bound to strand not just imagined worlds but the foreigners within them, untethering them from the realities they are supposed to mirror and critique. Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2024 Anyone exercising some realism knows this season is not about trying to chase down the Dodgers. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of realism was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near realism

Cite this Entry

“Realism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

realism

noun
re·​al·​ism ˈrē-ə-ˌliz-əm How to pronounce realism (audio)
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 adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on realism

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