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 keyhole shape is often featured by Schiaparelli, which embraces surrealism in its designs. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 26 Jan. 2026

Disappointingly, the alien elements don’t reach full Screaming Mad George surrealism until the end of the movie, relying a bit too much on blue goo and screaming along the way. —Katie Rife, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026

The film frankly depicts the extreme sub-dom relationship that Erika lures Elliot into, peppered with Araki’s trademark playful-surrealism while committed to a certain, refreshing explicitness. —David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026

This Summer From surrealism in the sixties to a Ruth Asawa retrospective and a private collection of 30,000 baseball cards. —Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French surréalisme, from sur- + réalisme realism

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for surrealism

• idealism
• neorealism