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
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
Stewart, who has been a Chanel ambassador since 2013 and has therefore worn the designs of all three of the brand’s post-Coco Chanel designers, saw a realism in the models’ mix of casual clothes and exuberantly formal ones, with jackets thrown over arms and newspapers stuffed into handbags.
—
Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
In nearly all these cases, there remains a sense of the uncanny, which makes the more recent works in the restaged show noteworthy for their comparably insistent, sometimes expressionistic representation of a warped realism.
—Tim Griffin, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025
Born in 1577, Rubens became known as the master of the Flemish Baroque tradition, a style made popular in the 16th and 17th centuries known for its use of dramatic lighting, lifelike realism and meticulous detail.
—NPR, 30 Nov. 2025
The Museum of Make Believe is an enchanting place of magical realism that is the brainchild of artist Geoff Mitchell and his wife, writer Amy Mitchell.
—Penny E Schwartz, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for realism
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Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
In nearly all these cases, there remains a sense of the uncanny, which makes the more recent works in the restaged show noteworthy for their comparably insistent, sometimes expressionistic representation of a warped realism.
—Tim Griffin, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025
Born in 1577, Rubens became known as the master of the Flemish Baroque tradition, a style made popular in the 16th and 17th centuries known for its use of dramatic lighting, lifelike realism and meticulous detail.
—NPR, 30 Nov. 2025
The Museum of Make Believe is an enchanting place of magical realism that is the brainchild of artist Geoff Mitchell and his wife, writer Amy Mitchell.
—Penny E Schwartz, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for realism
Cite this Entry
“Realism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realism. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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