as in realism
realistic depiction in art and literature
a major exponent of naturalism, Theodore Dreiser depicted life's harsh realities unflinchingly and without moral judgment
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Recent Examples of naturalism
Larroquette and Alley immediately convey an easygoing romantic charm that anchors the whole film; although Ropelewski orchestrates the escalation of comic situations with meticulous care, there’s nothing mechanical about the effect thanks to Larroquette and Alley’s breezy naturalism.
—
Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 10 Mar. 2025
Tucked within a narrow urban lot, the modest home has been lauded for its simplicity, free-flowing efficiency and organic naturalism.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
The other aspect would be a sense of a heightened reality, using color and contrast, as operas are not seen as representational or a form of naturalism, but the importance of an emotional journey.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2025
But Strong channels the spirit of people like Jack Nicholson and James Cagney in overpowering all our dumb assumptions about naturalism and authenticity.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for naturalism
Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 10 Mar. 2025
Tucked within a narrow urban lot, the modest home has been lauded for its simplicity, free-flowing efficiency and organic naturalism.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
The other aspect would be a sense of a heightened reality, using color and contrast, as operas are not seen as representational or a form of naturalism, but the importance of an emotional journey.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2025
But Strong channels the spirit of people like Jack Nicholson and James Cagney in overpowering all our dumb assumptions about naturalism and authenticity.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for naturalism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naturalism
Noun
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Because what matters, what makes Caravaggio so much more than an illustrator, is less the realism of the sacred image than its translation — through the bodies and faces of ordinary people — from the time of the Gospels to now.—
Jason Farago,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
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As the Scientific Revolution spread across Europe, artists became increasingly devoted to realism in still life paintings of plants and flowers.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Naturalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naturalism. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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