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

Sometimes the directors — Trent O’Donnell, Jason Winer and Erin O’Malley — capture a loose, unforced tone, with handheld realism and very pleasant photography of Texas settings. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Sympathetic realism is at its wisest when novelists give readers the chance Lee offered in her first book— to love and dislike characters simultaneously. — Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026

His comments illustrated the unique burden of the hip-hop superstar, straining to stay in touch with the grimy realism of his earliest rhymes. — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

That was the high baroque period of Black style in the United States, when pimp realism became aspirational for all, even the respectable. — Lucy Sante, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 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