anti-realism

noun

an·​ti-re·​al·​ism
ˌan-tē-ˈrē-ə-ˌli-zəm,
ˌan-tī- How to pronounce anti-realism (audio)
variants or antirealism
: opposition to or deliberate eschewal of realism especially in art and literature
There are as many different varieties of antirealism as there are of realism—perhaps more.Michael Boyd
anti-realist adjective
or antirealist
ˌan-tē-ˈrē-ə-list,
ˌan-tī- How to pronounce anti-realism (audio)
anti-realist art
anti-realist noun
or antirealist
Nineteenth-century antirealists invented various kinds of fantasy in order to free imagination from rational skepticism and diminish the reality principle's hold on narrative. Robert Higbie

Examples of anti-realism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
This group was anti-realism and pro spirituality, imagination, and dreams and used suggestion, signs, and images to get their message across. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 11 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anti-realism was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near anti-realism

Cite this Entry

“Anti-realism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-realism. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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