realist

1 of 2

noun

re·​al·​ist ˈrē-ə-list 

plural realists

1

: a person who recognizes what is real or possible in a particular situation : one who accepts and deals with things as they really are

a political realist

She considers herself a realist when it comes to parenting.

2

: a person (such as a writer or painter) who adheres to a style of realism by representing things in a way faithful to nature or to real life

Chekhov was essentially more of a realist than Dostoevski, whose force often lay in a strong proclivity to melodrama …

—Roger Shattuck

realist

2 of 2

adjective

1

: in the style of realism : faithful in representation to nature or to real life

realist paintings

realist fiction

2

: realistic, practical

a realist approach to the problem

Examples of realist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ever the realist, Cox does know and freely admits his athlete’s distance preferences. — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Pressed by reporters as to whether Israel has determined there is anyone worth negotiating with in Iran, a senior Israeli official offered only one name — Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi — and characterized him as a realist, but not a moderate. — Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Adjective

His locations, mapped here by Baseball Savant, are more abstract art than anything representing the accuracy of a realist painter. — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

The maximalist space is filled with art pieces big and small — drawings taped up, random plant pots and street signs, scrap-metal sculptures and realist paintings. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing realist

• photo-realist