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

Bonnie Elliott, the director of photography, has a great eye, and Christian is passionate about the show and deserves a lot of credit for balancing an art-house sensibility with the psychological and emotional realism of the story. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026

Trump’s flexible realism also entails recognizing the need to form bespoke coalitions of the willing to augment the United Nations and other large multilateral institutions. — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026

Harris also helped shape the movie’s imagination sequences, pushing Pixar’s artists toward more spontaneous, painterly images rather than the studio’s usual meticulous realism. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Mackenzie’s a somewhat underrated figure, a Scottish filmmaker who worked with Ken Loach as an assistant director before embarking on his own career making similar works of social realism for British film and television. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 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