realist

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

Examples of realist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The guy was nothing if not a realist. —Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026

The setting for this two-hander is more abstract than usual for Hunter, who is one of the theater’s outstanding American realists. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

In San Jose, Cohen has developed a reputation as a principled realist who has pursued progress over purity. —Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 1 June 2026

For the realists in the rooms—perhaps joined by economists and accountants—2025’s wildfire season was anything but good news. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing realist

• photo-realist