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 of realism

• naturalism
• verisimilitude

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

To lend realism, the government supplied military vehicles for the battle scenes. —Dan Bilefsky, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025

To the first goal, Safdie’s shooting style lent the arguments between Mark and Dawn a special realism. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025

Diaz grew up playing on a dirt pitch located on the verges of South America’s largest coalmine; there is already a magical realism to his story. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025

His curiosity led him to try every technique and type of subject, from construction sites and coal mines to symbolic dreamscapes, from realism to fantasy and satire. —Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing realism

• anti-realism
• magical 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