as in naturalism
realistic depiction in art and literature using ordinary people as models, even when depicting the greatest of saints, Caravaggio brought an unforgiving realism to painting that was unprecedented

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of realism Rather, optimism, when properly deployed, blends realism with a genuine refusal to get lost in negativity, much of which is unwarranted even in the worst of scenarios. Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 For students like Maria, activism remains a blend of realism and optimism. Hanna Park, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025 The collection of paintings have a sense of magical realism and depict androgynous figures such as Élan, Espoir, Charmeur, Chagrin, Résonance, Allusion, Protection, Possession, and Shadow. Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 The effect is that this drama of male interference never quite concludes—a bit of realism Kitamura renders through the surreal. Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for realism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for realism
Noun
  • But the naturalism had a function that went beyond popular accessibility.
    Jason Farago, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • On the one side stood religious fundamentalism with its insistence on a literal reading of scripture and submission to institutional authority; on the other stood scientific naturalism with its insistence that only empirical methods were valid routes to knowledge.
    Ben Woollard, JSTOR Daily, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In those cases, the technology’s failure to produce flawless verisimilitude was part of the charm.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Michelle's and Dorothy's journey of self-discovery do share a remarkable verisimilitude if studied at a relative distance.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 21 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Realism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/realism. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on realism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!