realist

American  

[ree-uh-list] / ˈri ə lɪst /

noun

1. a person who tends to view or represent things as they really are.

2. an artist or a writer whose work is characterized by realism.

3. Philosophy. an adherent of realism.

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adjective

1. of or relating to realism or to a person who embodies its principles or practices.

   the realist approach to social ills;

   realist paintings.

ˈrealist British  

/ ˈrɪəlɪst /

noun

1. a person who is aware of and accepts the physical universe, events, etc, as they are; pragmatist

2. an artist or writer who seeks to represent the familiar or typical in real life rather than an idealized, formalized, or romantic interpretation

3. philosophy a person who accepts realism

4. (modifier) of, relating to, or characteristic of realism or realists in the arts, philosophy, etc

   a realist school

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Other Word Forms

• antirealist noun
• hyperrealist noun
• nonrealist noun
• prorealist adjective
• ultrarealist noun

Etymology

Origin of realist

First recorded in 1595–1605; real ¹ + -ist; compare French réaliste

Example Sentences

“I like to describe myself as a realist with high goals,” is all she’d allow.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

The 54-year-old Dyche, who was previously in charge at Everton and Burnley, said he was a "realist" about his precarious situation and spoke like a manager resigned to his fate.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

He made his home in the Scottish Borders and wrote readable, accessible novels in the realist tradition.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

In particular, he sharpens our image of the Hobbesian Thucydides, who founded the realist theory of international relations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

His words pierced me, hardened though I was, realist as I wished to be.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya