naturalistic

adjective

nat·​u·​ral·​is·​tic ˌna-ch(ə-)rə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce naturalistic (audio)
variants or less commonly naturalist
ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-list How to pronounce naturalistic (audio)
Synonyms of naturalisticnext
: of, characterized by, or according with naturalism
naturalistically
ˌna-ch(ə-)rə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce naturalistic (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of naturalistic

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Examples of naturalistic in a Sentence

The zoo strives to create naturalistic settings for the animals. the movie's volcanic eruption is so naturalistic that it's easy to forget that it all came out of a computer
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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.
Oakley also brings a welcome naturalistic feel to a script by Diana Reid, with a strong sense of nature itself but also the reality of economic hardship — or what stands for economic hardship in an Austen novel. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 There is a naturalistic aesthetic to the film, augmented by the locations, the costumes and the hair and makeup design. — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Either way, Rahimi balances the character’s clear vulnerability with just enough ambiguity about his plans for the school, accentuated through Majidi’s restrained and naturalistic approach. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 Cordier said the designer’s naturalistic work also had a spiritual foundation. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for naturalistic

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of naturalistic was in 1838

Rhymes for naturalistic

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Naturalistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalistic. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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