surrealism

noun

sur·​re·​al·​ism sə-ˈrē-ə-ˌli-zəm 

also -ˈrā-

: the principles, ideals, or practice of producing fantastic or incongruous imagery or effects in art, literature, film, or theater by means of unnatural or irrational juxtapositions and combinations

surrealist

sə-ˈrē-ə-list 

also -ˈrā-

noun or adjective

Examples of surrealism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Empiricism gives way to surrealism. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

Kaufman and co-director Duke Johnson exploit the surrealism of puppets to great ends (most notably in a love scene), creating a one-of-a-kind vision. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026

Impressionism, expressionism, surrealism, and modern art emerged not despite photography, but because of it. — Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 3 June 2026

These hyperbolic fantasies of socialist surrealism are often exhilarating, but Riley’s wild spectrum of images and ideas doesn’t fit readily into a clear critique. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

French surréalisme, from sur- + réalisme realism

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for surrealism

• idealism
• neorealism