as in naturalism
realistic depiction in art and literature using ordinary people as models, even when depicting the greatest of saints, Caravaggio brought an unforgiving realism to painting that was unprecedented

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of realism His account isn’t about realism, but the performance of an identity. Danny Lorberbaum june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025 The next step was to deliver on that promise of realism by populating their world with bona fide, high-wattage guests. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 12 June 2025 But seeing Ben’s death on the horizon meant amping up the realism for Krueger’s acting process. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 June 2025 Take Samantha Zimmermann, a fine artist whose motorsports realism captures both the technical precision and emotional sensations evoked in racing. Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for realism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for realism
Noun
  • This half-hearted interest in naturalism hurts more than helps.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
  • Originally an editor of literary magazines specializing in the newly fashionable French naturalism, [Kafu] abandoned that work in order to embark on a life investigating Tokyo’s erotic underworld.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • And like that Tom Cruise sequel, F1 plays up the fact that authenticity, verisimilitude and a you-are-there-feeling can often make the difference between a fun afternoon at the moving pictures and an immersive adrenaline rush.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
  • This is at odds with the verisimilitude of the natural voices and saps the show of dramatic tension.
    Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Realism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/realism. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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