realism
noun
re·al·ism
ˈrē-ə-ˌli-zəm 
1
: concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and visionary
2
a
: a doctrine that universals exist outside the mind
specifically
: the conception that an abstract term names an independent and unitary reality
b
: a theory that objects of sense perception or cognition exist independently of the mind compare nominalism
3
: the theory or practice of fidelity in art and literature to nature or to real life and to accurate representation without idealization
Examples of realism in a Sentence
He has a sense of realism about what can be done to improve the economy.
The realism of her dream was alarming.
the stark realism of the play
Recent Examples on the Web
Each of these films belongs to its own genre—action/adventure, sci-fi/drama, and drama/history, respectively—and none of them seems interested in the filmic tradition of documentary realism, not even the bio-pic.
—
Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
But the industry must temper its enthusiasm with realism.
—Amber Nigam, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Part of that realism lies in the creative team’s approach to cultural specificity.
—Max Gao, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2025
The eerie connection to Havana Syndrome enhances the series' sense of realism, blurring the lines between conspiracy theory and credible threat.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for realism
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Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
But the industry must temper its enthusiasm with realism.
—Amber Nigam, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Part of that realism lies in the creative team’s approach to cultural specificity.
—Max Gao, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2025
The eerie connection to Havana Syndrome enhances the series' sense of realism, blurring the lines between conspiracy theory and credible threat.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for realism
Cite this Entry
“Realism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realism. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
realism
noun
re·al·ism
ˈrē-ə-ˌliz-əm
ˈri-ə-
1
: willingness to face facts and to give in to what is necessary
2
: the showing of things as they really are in art, literature, and theater
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