surrealism

noun

sur·​re·​al·​ism sə-ˈrē-ə-ˌli-zəm 

 also  -ˈrā-

: 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

surrealist

sə-ˈrē-ə-list 

 also  -ˈrā-

noun or adjective

Examples of surrealism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The composition has many hallmarks of surrealism, including dream logic – the strange, flowing and often illogical progression of images reflecting the unpredictable nature of dreams – metamorphosis and psychic ambiguity. —Sally Jane Brown, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025

Jim Woodring, famous for his comic book surrealism, is the perfect writer to dive into Church’s increasing instability, especially as the reader gets nestled in with him. —Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025

Textures glimmered with the surrealism of gaming skins. —Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

View gallery - 12 images In previous years, the winning entries of the annual Minimalist Photography Awards have stunned us with their embrace of surrealism and striking simplicity. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French surréalisme, from sur- + réalisme realism

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for surrealism

• idealism
• neorealism