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

The conversation surrounding work requirements also deserves greater realism. —Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026

Against the photographic realism of Paglen and Burtynsky, a sleeker subset of work risks rendering seductive that which ought to disturb us. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026

The director, who previously worked on Pixar hits Wall-E and Up, contrasts hard-knocks rustic realism with poetic flights of fancy whenever Christophe manages to escape his world and find his own voice, adding lyricism to an otherwise harsh existence. —Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026

His work explores immigrant experience with a blend of social and magical realism. —Brent Lang, Variety, 20 May 2026

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