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

2

: realistic, practical

a realist approach to the problem

Examples of realist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Murry corrupted and perverted and destroyed Katherine both as a person and a writer […] Her gifts were those of an intense realist, with a superb sense of ironic humour and fundamental cynicism. —Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025

Linda’s an idealist and Norma’s a realist. —Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025

Adjective

Rather than innovative, the excess of Tom’s Crossing is retrograde, a hypertrophy of specificity in traditional narrative and realist style. —Literary Hub, 18 Dec. 2025

Waltz’s landmark 1979 book, Theory of International Politics, recast realist ideas about world politics in modern theoretical terms, launching decades of research and vibrant debates that continue today. —Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

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