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

• 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

Videos created with the platform have gained viral attention for their uncanny realism, spawning clips of everything from Mickey Mouse skateboarding to Jake Paul dressed as Tinkerbell. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

While legislators grapple with the increasing prevalence and realism of deepfakes, individuals and organizations can take steps to protect themselves. —Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 20 Oct. 2025

Developed at the Sam Spiegel Film Lab in Venice, the project blends social realism with visual poetry and, its makers say, an emotional precision. —Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025

Still, realism was never the end goal. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 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