Definition of realismnext
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

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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 realism of football on Madden is far superior to anything seen a few decades ago, such as the version for Nintendo 64. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 At Schiaparelli, a house rooted in sculptural and avant-garde design, there was a sense of realism, too. — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026 The intergenerational novel blends magical realism with love, family conflict and political upheaval to create a vivid portrait of Colombian life and history. — Alexandra Tirado Oropeza, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026 Sometimes the directors — Trent O’Donnell, Jason Winer and Erin O’Malley — capture a loose, unforced tone, with handheld realism and very pleasant photography of Texas settings. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for realism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for realism
Noun
  • For all the film’s naturalism, almost nothing in it was left to chance, not even the weather on the day of the climax.
    — Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Yana Radeva, shockingly a first-time actor, is quietly commanding as Veska, suggesting entire histories without spelling them out, while Grisebach’s documentary-like naturalism makes even the film’s strangest turns feel oddly plausible.
    — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • As with the Yale-set After the Hunt, Guadagnino and the production designer Stefano Baisi grew obsessed with verisimilitude as an index of truth.
    — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • That process of reconciliation takes precedence over the music, all of which is believable in its context (the verisimilitude of the The Behemoth!
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026

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“Realism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/realism. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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