Thesaurus results for REALISM

realism

noun

ˈrē-ə-ˌli-zəm

Definition of realism

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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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 The influence of Reilly and Rockwell’s American realism can be seen in Max’s painting for Meade Lux Lewis’ 1962 album cover The Blues Piano Artistry of Meade Lux Lewis, which won a gold medal at the Society of Illustrators. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026 French decadence, magical realism, nineteenth-century sensational fiction. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026 Perhaps this is where my relationship with magical realism begins. — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026 But while the visual language of prestige TV — handheld realism, long silences, and anxious scores — is still alive, the scale of stories has collapsed. — Henry Metz, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for realism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for realism

Noun

Yana Radeva, shockingly a first-time actor, is quietly commanding as Veska, suggesting entire histories without spelling them out, while Grisebach’s documentary-like naturalism makes even the film’s strangest turns feel oddly plausible.

— Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026
In true Joycean fashion, Ironweed wants both symbolism and naturalism, the elevated language of heaven’s vaults alongside the unadorned details of bodily filth.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of naturalism

Noun

Working in charcoal and conté crayon two days a week for an entire year—600 hours—the young student achieved a remarkable level of photographic verisimilitude in the still life.

— Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026
La Gradiva’s seamless verisimilitude is a testament both to Atlan’s authority behind the camera and to the extensive research that went into the script — a portrait of adolescence ringing at once bracingly of the moment and achingly timeless.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of verisimilitude

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“Realism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/realism. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of realism

noun

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