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
The panel will turn on adapting the novel’s magical realism, shaping its multi-generational story for an eight‑episode series and the creative collaboration behind bringing this beloved classic to global audiences, the Berlinale Series Market confirmed Wednesday.
—
John Hopewell, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Catalyst Studios titles include the boxing drama Undercard, starring Wanda Sykes; the thriller Follow Me, starring Connie Nielsen; and the Spanish magical realism drama Alix, starring Cristal Aparicio.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026
The group’s notebooks read like fragments of fairy tales or magical realism—years of stories within stories within stories, like Russian nesting dolls.
—Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Budgeting Tips That Work Locally Successful Wisconsin wedding budgets start with realism.
—K.h. Koehler, jsonline.com, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for realism
John Hopewell, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Catalyst Studios titles include the boxing drama Undercard, starring Wanda Sykes; the thriller Follow Me, starring Connie Nielsen; and the Spanish magical realism drama Alix, starring Cristal Aparicio.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026
The group’s notebooks read like fragments of fairy tales or magical realism—years of stories within stories within stories, like Russian nesting dolls.
—Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
Budgeting Tips That Work Locally Successful Wisconsin wedding budgets start with realism.
—K.h. Koehler, jsonline.com, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for realism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for realism
Noun
-
The vivid naturalism achieved in these works was not seen for another millennium, and is often more credited to artists living during the late Middle Ages, including Cimabue and Giotto, who laid the groundwork for the Renaissance.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
By filtering the grammar of naturalism through a fine mesh strainer until all that remains are skeletal forms and eerie compositional croppings, Schjerfbeck forces your eye toward an occluded or trivial detail.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Designers of digital voice assistants do not strive to maximize verisimilitude in their products’ anthropomorphism.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Her designs for the Safdies, as well as her prolific Instagram cataloguing of clothes worn by regular people on the street, have earned her a reputation as a doyenne of verisimilitude.—
Victoria Uren,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Realism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/realism. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
