surrealism

noun

sur·​re·​al·​ism sə-ˈrē-ə-ˌli-zəm 

 also  -ˈrā-

: the principles, ideals, or practice of producing fantastic or incongruous imagery or effects in art, literature, film, or theater by means of unnatural or irrational juxtapositions and combinations

surrealist

sə-ˈrē-ə-list 

 also  -ˈrā-

noun or adjective

Examples of surrealism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s something initially alluring about the way Duke Johnson uses surrealism in his solo directorial feature The Actor. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025

And the show’s jittery surrealism feels more evocative of contemporary paranoia than the flawed realism of so many recent thrillers (ahem, Zero Day, ahem). —Judy Berman, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025

Her influences extend from surrealism to the Dada art movement, and from novelist Kurt Vonnegut to the sweeping technology of our generation. —Sofia Goldstein, SPIN, 26 Feb. 2025

Canadian alt-pop artist's debut matches sonic surrealism with defiantly vulnerable lyrics February 19, 2025 Is self-preservation futile? —Gabrielle MacAfee, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French surréalisme, from sur- + réalisme realism

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for surrealism

• idealism
• neorealism