Definition of surrealism
: the principles, ideals, or practice of producing fantastic or incongruous imagery or effects in art, literature, film, or theater by means of unnatural or irrational juxtapositions and combinations
Explore M-W
Recent Examples of surrealism from the Web
-
Sometimes that ambiguity works for The Book of Henry, evoking classic surrealism's cryptic perspective.
-
Diaz drew inspiration from animals and surrealism to create his mural of a mythical jackalope.
-
That might be why Darius, more than any other character, feels at home in the strange world of Atlanta—which so seamlessly wavers between realism and surrealism.
-
And the filmmakerly execution here (episode director: Robin Wright) gave each Shocking Development a hint of surrealism.
-
This 1836 work — in which a witless fop is assumed to be a powerful state functionary by corrupt politicians in the provinces — infuses scathing satire with giddy surrealism.
-
Twin Peaks now has made surrealism less of a tool and more of an objective.
-
Twin Peaks now has made surrealism less of a tool and more of an objective.
-
Twin Peaks's first go-round catalyzed fans by using the tools of surrealism to tell a fascinating, sometimes heartbreaking story.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'surrealism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of surrealism
French surréalisme, from sur- + réalisme realism
Other Literature Terms
SURREALISM Defined for English Language Learners
surrealism
playDefinition of surrealism for English Language Learners
-
: a 20th-century art form in which an artist or writer combines unrelated images or events in a very strange and dreamlike way
Learn More about surrealism
-
See words that rhyme with surrealism Britannica English: Translation of surrealism for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about surrealism
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up surrealism? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!