WordValerealism
depicting subjects truthfully, without idealization
In more detail
1. (noun) the acceptance of a situation as it is, based on facts and reality rather than hopes or imagination
2. (noun) in art or literature, the style of showing subjects as they actually appear in real life, without idealization or exaggeration
Examples
- 1. We need to approach this problem with realism and accept that quick solutions may not exist.
- 2. The novel's realism made the characters and their struggles feel very true to life.
How to use realism
Realism refers to an acceptance of facts and practical circumstances, or to an artistic/literary approach that depicts subjects faithfully. It contrasts with idealism, which emphasizes ideals over practical reality. The term carries different weight depending on context: in discussion of policy or behavior, it suggests level-headedness; in art and literature, it denotes a specific stylistic movement or approach.
Common phrases
- harsh realism
- gritty realism
- political realism
- realism in art
- embrace realism
- dose of realism
Synonyms
practicality · pragmatism · realpolitik · verisimilitude · naturalism
Opposites
idealism · romanticism · fantasy
Word family
realistic · realistically · realist
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse realism with pessimism; realism accepts reality as it is without necessarily viewing it negatively, whereas pessimism assumes the worst outcome.
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