realist

1 of 2

noun

re·​al·​ist ˈrē-ə-list 

plural realists

1

: a person who recognizes what is real or possible in a particular situation : one who accepts and deals with things as they really are

a political realist

She considers herself a realist when it comes to parenting.

2

: a person (such as a writer or painter) who adheres to a style of realism by representing things in a way faithful to nature or to real life

Chekhov was essentially more of a realist than Dostoevski, whose force often lay in a strong proclivity to melodrama …

—Roger Shattuck

realist

2 of 2

adjective

1

: in the style of realism : faithful in representation to nature or to real life

realist paintings

realist fiction

2

: realistic, practical

a realist approach to the problem

Examples of realist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Any realist would tell you Ukraine would fall. — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026

The realist recognizes this series has had two games that were toss-ups and one where the Knicks were just better, longer. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026

Adjective

It has been used in just about every realist novel since. — Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026

No realist power would’ve ever done that. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing realist

• photo-realist