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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of realism
And this sort of realization is one that requires a weary mind and a realism seldom found in the young.
—
John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Blending magical realism with the Chilean myth of the Invunche, the story gives shape to trauma and uprooted identity.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 29 July 2025
The diagnosis echoes the dark realism of early critical race theorists.
—Idrees Kahloon, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
This is a big stylistic departure from the naturalistic realism in which the Marionette Theater specializes.
—Ben Miller Laetitia Vançon, New York Times, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for realism
John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Blending magical realism with the Chilean myth of the Invunche, the story gives shape to trauma and uprooted identity.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 29 July 2025
The diagnosis echoes the dark realism of early critical race theorists.
—Idrees Kahloon, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
This is a big stylistic departure from the naturalistic realism in which the Marionette Theater specializes.
—Ben Miller Laetitia Vançon, New York Times, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for realism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for realism
Noun
-
King of the Hill was no marvel of complicated animation — its designs were built to have a kind of everyman naturalism, and the characters move with little grace.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
7 July 2025
-
That naturalism, in turn, helps viewers and listeners feel more comfortable—although the videos sometimes perch right at the edge of the uncanny valley.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Bailey’s misfortune and Alonso’s vertical verisimilitude resulted in just one of the Giants’ eight hitless at-bats with runners in scoring position.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
27 July 2025
-
But what is exceptional here is how Sandler and Apatow pull from their real lives to give the performance verisimilitude.—
Jesse David Fox,
Vulture,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Realism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/realism. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share