realist

1 of 2

noun

re·​al·​ist ˈrē-ə-list How to pronounce realist (audio)
plural realists
1
: a person who recognizes what is real or possible in a particular situation : one who accepts and deals with things as they really are
a political realist
She considers herself a realist when it comes to parenting.
2
: a person (such as a writer or painter) who adheres to a style of realism by representing things in a way faithful to nature or to real life
Chekhov was essentially more of a realist than Dostoevski, whose force often lay in a strong proclivity to melodrama …Roger Shattuck

realist

2 of 2

adjective

: in the style of realism : faithful in representation to nature or to real life
realist paintings
Though a number of Dahl's most engaging stories, particularly in his early career, are cast in a realist mode, his reputation is that of a writer of macabre, blackly jocose tales …Joyce Carol Oates

Examples of realist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Using art to 'promote the richness and uniqueness of Black beauty' As a versatile impressionist and realist, Fatai's work has now been featured in exhibitions and museums within Nigeria and around the word. Caché McClay, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025 But Moyes is a realist and knows the first task is simply to keep up a goal-shy Everton. Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The exclusion is more harmful for the AfD than for the BSW, since the Munich Security Conference stands for conservative values and a realist foreign policy. Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025 His realist fiction could never arrive at a full understanding. Max Chapnick, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for realist 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of realist was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near realist

Cite this Entry

“Realist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realist. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on realist

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!