as in naturalism
realistic depiction in art and literature
using ordinary people as models, even when depicting the greatest of saints, Caravaggio brought an unforgiving realism to painting that was unprecedented
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Recent Examples of realism
Nolan seems to be striving for geographic realism interspersed with violent and fantastic episodes.
—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
Pierce Brosnan brought a suave, debonair approach, while Daniel Craig introduced a gritty realism and vulnerability to Bond.
—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
That shift arrives around the film’s midpoint, which Woods — who co-wrote the screenplay with Brandon Gardner — marks with a moment of magical realism.
—
Natalia Winkelman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Franciszek Korolczuk is a Polish student filmmaker and music video director whose work blends narrative filmmaking with documentary realism.
—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for realism
David Denby,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
Pierce Brosnan brought a suave, debonair approach, while Daniel Craig introduced a gritty realism and vulnerability to Bond.
—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
That shift arrives around the film’s midpoint, which Woods — who co-wrote the screenplay with Brandon Gardner — marks with a moment of magical realism.
—
Natalia Winkelman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Franciszek Korolczuk is a Polish student filmmaker and music video director whose work blends narrative filmmaking with documentary realism.
—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for realism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for realism
Noun
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Tarr mixes professional and amateur performers, yet demands the same unrehearsed naturalism from each.
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Da Costa realizes that journey with unforced naturalism, as if the camera just happened to be there to capture it.
Noun
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Whatever your druthers—irony or verisimilitude—there’s probably a poster for you among the 240+ for sale.
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The rubber missiles aren't just there for verisimilitude.
Cite this Entry
“Realism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/realism. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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