as in realism
realistic depiction in art and literature
a major exponent of naturalism, Theodore Dreiser depicted life's harsh realities unflinchingly and without moral judgment
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Recent Examples of naturalism
It’s based on the fallacy of naturalism.
—
Christine Baranski, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025
To increase the naturalism of Morrow having a cybernetic arm, Painter had Ceesay wear an actual prosthetic arm over his own arm to simulate the way Morrow would move with it.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025
If Mercedes’ Marisol were less melodramatic and more in tune with the naturalism of her castmates, this could be a truly masterful staging.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 10 Oct. 2025
Despite that notable change, watching One Battle After Another is much like the experience of reading Pynchon, who lurches from high comedy to stomach-turning naturalism and punctuates plot-heavy sequences with little grace notes of character portraiture.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for naturalism
Christine Baranski, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025
To increase the naturalism of Morrow having a cybernetic arm, Painter had Ceesay wear an actual prosthetic arm over his own arm to simulate the way Morrow would move with it.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025
If Mercedes’ Marisol were less melodramatic and more in tune with the naturalism of her castmates, this could be a truly masterful staging.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 10 Oct. 2025
Despite that notable change, watching One Battle After Another is much like the experience of reading Pynchon, who lurches from high comedy to stomach-turning naturalism and punctuates plot-heavy sequences with little grace notes of character portraiture.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for naturalism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naturalism
realism
Noun
-
Some considered the work abstract and dreamlike, while others went for high realism.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The other demands external realism.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Naturalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naturalism. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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