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
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
The vivid naturalism achieved in these works was not seen for another millennium, and is often more credited to artists living during the late Middle Ages, including Cimabue and Giotto, who laid the groundwork for the Renaissance.
—
Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
By filtering the grammar of naturalism through a fine mesh strainer until all that remains are skeletal forms and eerie compositional croppings, Schjerfbeck forces your eye toward an occluded or trivial detail.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
It’s based on the fallacy of naturalism.
—Christine Baranski, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025
To increase the naturalism of Morrow having a cybernetic arm, Painter had Ceesay wear an actual prosthetic arm over his own arm to simulate the way Morrow would move with it.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for naturalism
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Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
By filtering the grammar of naturalism through a fine mesh strainer until all that remains are skeletal forms and eerie compositional croppings, Schjerfbeck forces your eye toward an occluded or trivial detail.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
It’s based on the fallacy of naturalism.
—Christine Baranski, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025
To increase the naturalism of Morrow having a cybernetic arm, Painter had Ceesay wear an actual prosthetic arm over his own arm to simulate the way Morrow would move with it.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for naturalism
Cite this Entry
“Naturalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalism. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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