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

The series was extensively praised for its gritty realism and attention to historical detail. — Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Key technologies include 10MHz external clock synchronization, a triple-layer chassis, and Magne-Float platter technology, all designed to reproduce music with uncompromising precision and realism. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

But the mystery train starts veering off the rails as Flowers wanders away from enjoyable rhinestone reinvention and defaults to the heavy-handed Springsteenian realism that’s sometimes been both his Rosetta stone and his Achilles’ heel. — Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

That began to change during the late 1940s and early 1950s when studios broke with tradition and filmed abroad, attracted by Europe’s cheap labor and the desire among directors for more realism in movies. — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 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