re·al·ist
ˈrē-ə-list 
plural realists
1
: a person who recognizes what is real or possible in a particular situation : one who accepts and deals with things as they really are
a political realist
She considers herself a realist when it comes to parenting.
2
: a person (such as a writer or painter) who adheres to a style of realism by representing things in a way faithful to nature or to real life
Chekhov was essentially more of a realist than Dostoevski, whose force often lay in a strong proclivity to melodrama …—
Roger Shattuck
Roger Shattuck
: in the style of realism : faithful in representation to nature or to real life
realist paintings
Though a number of Dahl's most engaging stories, particularly in his early career, are cast in a realist mode, his reputation is that of a writer of macabre, blackly jocose tales …—Joyce Carol Oates
Joyce Carol OatesExamples of realist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024
If contemporary art is your thing, don’t miss Blue Spiral 1 for local art like Reuben Negrón’s realist drawings and narrative watercolors.
—Jenn Rice, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Nov. 2024
Dan Caldwell, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024
While retaining a sensibility of scrappy, playful creativity, Baker has also matured in his vision to come up with something like a clear-eyed fantasy: a realist fairy tale.
—Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for realist 
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.
Noun
Trump’s campaign rhetoric painted the world in apocalyptic terms, portraying himself and his team as hard-nosed realists who understood the danger.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024
If contemporary art is your thing, don’t miss Blue Spiral 1 for local art like Reuben Negrón’s realist drawings and narrative watercolors.
—Jenn Rice, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
In recent elections, this fatigue may well have translated into a preference for candidates who have embraced a more realist approach to foreign affairs.
—Dan Caldwell, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024
While retaining a sensibility of scrappy, playful creativity, Baker has also matured in his vision to come up with something like a clear-eyed fantasy: a realist fairy tale.
—Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for realist
Dictionary Entries Near realist
Cite this Entry
“Realist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realist. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share