Definition of verisimilitudenext
as in realism
realistic depiction in art and literature the novel's degree of verisimilitude is compromised by 18th-century characters who speak in very 21st-century English

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 verisimilitude That verisimilitude functioned as a solvent, lending credibility and urgency to elements of the show that might otherwise register as pure cheese; the medical realism and sentimental flourishes were mutually reinforcing. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026 The Cenobites, clearly inspired by leather and BDSM culture, are reimagined here as terrifyingly fashionable beings who feel truly alien — an aesthetic praised for its verisimilitude to Clive Barker’s original vision. Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025 Both his African heritage and his new exploration of the verisimilitudes and vagaries of New York City life paint the ongoing development of The Watchman, sometimes featured as the key figure as in the monumental portrait, AH! Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025 For Greengrass, this is a technique to generate even greater verisimilitude. Andy Hazel, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for verisimilitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verisimilitude
realism
Noun
  • The realism, and the rawness, of Burden of Justice, sets it apart from most Swedish TV fare, which can often be polished and tasteful to a fault.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Whatever transformation occurs reflects the brute metamorphosis of character into symbol, not the fullness of realism or the vividness of fiction.
    Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Verisimilitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verisimilitude. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on verisimilitude

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster