naturalism
noun
nat·u·ral·ism
ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: action, inclination, or thought based only on natural desires and instincts
2
: a theory denying that an event or object has a supernatural significance
specifically
: the doctrine that scientific laws are adequate to account for all phenomena
3
: realism in art or literature
specifically
: a theory or practice in literature emphasizing scientific observation of life without idealization and often including elements of determinism
Synonyms
Examples of naturalism in a Sentence
a major exponent of naturalism, Theodore Dreiser depicted life's harsh realities unflinchingly and without moral judgment
Recent Examples on the Web
But their idea of visual accuracy is a vestige of naturalism.
—
Hazlitt, 9 Aug. 2023
The film presents various dualities – country/city, past/present, artifice/naturalism.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 3 Aug. 2023
Coupling real elements with fictional constructs, the film strikes a delicate balance between naturalism and artifice.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 3 Aug. 2023
The characters are a woman and two men in their 20s (played with exquisite restraint and impeccable naturalism by Zhou Dongyu, Liu Haoran and Qu Chuxiao) entangled in a quasi-love-triangle and afflicted by anxieties seldom articulated.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 May 2023
As an optimistic hot mess, misunderstood and too well understood, the actress gets an unusual wealth of attitudes to play, from wildly comic to subtly heartbreaking, anchoring this antic series with naturalism.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2023
Moore is after something more mysterious than naturalism.
—David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2023
And often that is more easily planted into naturalism and drama that isn’t too fantastical.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2023
Gilman nails all of it, chirping mouthfuls of dialogue in a manner that evades naturalism but still feels appropriate to this reflective-beyond-his-years kid.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 June 2023
See More
Hazlitt, 9 Aug. 2023
The film presents various dualities – country/city, past/present, artifice/naturalism.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 3 Aug. 2023
Coupling real elements with fictional constructs, the film strikes a delicate balance between naturalism and artifice.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 3 Aug. 2023
The characters are a woman and two men in their 20s (played with exquisite restraint and impeccable naturalism by Zhou Dongyu, Liu Haoran and Qu Chuxiao) entangled in a quasi-love-triangle and afflicted by anxieties seldom articulated.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 May 2023
As an optimistic hot mess, misunderstood and too well understood, the actress gets an unusual wealth of attitudes to play, from wildly comic to subtly heartbreaking, anchoring this antic series with naturalism.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2023
Moore is after something more mysterious than naturalism.
—David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2023
And often that is more easily planted into naturalism and drama that isn’t too fantastical.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2023
Gilman nails all of it, chirping mouthfuls of dialogue in a manner that evades naturalism but still feels appropriate to this reflective-beyond-his-years kid.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'naturalism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near naturalism
Cite this Entry
“Naturalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalism. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on naturalism
Nglish: Translation of naturalism for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about naturalism
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