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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Recent Examples of realism Creating a really neutral palette is more connected to the realism of actual hospitals and people’s personal experiences. Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2025 Related Stories Such moral realism stands out in what’s otherwise a proudly fantastical film. Alison Herman, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025 As the film moves from Guatemala to Mexico and then to the United States, Nava slowly splinters the magical realism Rosa and Enrique had grown up with. Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2025 And for Buddy, Vergara’s creation lends itself to realism along with humor. Michelle F. Solomon and, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for realism 

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“Realism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/realism. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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