verismo

noun

ve·​ris·​mo vā-ˈrēz-(ˌ)mō How to pronounce verismo (audio)

Examples of verismo in a Sentence

the author of this crime novel uses profuse profanity in the name of verismo, but its effectiveness palls after a couple of chapters
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On his debut album, Jonathan Tetelman lavishes his sumptuous tenor and almost poetic attention on classic Romantic and verismo arias. New York Times, 22 Dec. 2022 The passions are vintage verismo. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2021 This is a far cry from Verga’s verismo and prompts the reflection that when one is trapped in a drastically dysfunctional relationship, the solution might be distance. Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 23 Feb. 2021 Influenced by French literary circles, the Italian verismo movement considered the real world worth representing. Christy Thomas, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2018 There was hardly any Puccini, there was hardly any bel canto and no verismo. Colleen Barry, The Seattle Times, 31 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian — more at verism

First Known Use

circa 1908, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of verismo was circa 1908

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Verismo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verismo. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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