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
Synonyms
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
The movie Sundown was shot on location in Texarkana, Tex., and features many locals in small parts, imbuing the movie with a queasy realism.
—
Declan Gallagher and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
The overall tone of the meeting was energetic and optimistic, but there was a thread of realism about the time and effort that will be required to bring many of these concepts to the market.
—Steven Savage, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Their lumpy shapes feel not like imperfections but visual reminders of the handcrafted nature of their creation, proof that they’ve been lovingly sculpted with the beauty of truth, not the tyranny of realism.
—Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
Yakuza is a video game and is therefore not subject to the mundanities of realism.
—Ash Parrish, The Verge, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for realism 
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Declan Gallagher and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
The overall tone of the meeting was energetic and optimistic, but there was a thread of realism about the time and effort that will be required to bring many of these concepts to the market.
—Steven Savage, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Their lumpy shapes feel not like imperfections but visual reminders of the handcrafted nature of their creation, proof that they’ve been lovingly sculpted with the beauty of truth, not the tyranny of realism.
—Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
Yakuza is a video game and is therefore not subject to the mundanities of realism.
—Ash Parrish, The Verge, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for realism
Dictionary Entries Near realism
Cite this Entry
“Realism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realism. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
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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