realist
/ˈriːəlɪst/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈriːəlɪst/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrē-ə-list/ (ame, mw) · /ˈrɪə.lɪst/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈriː.ə.lɪst/ (ame, ipa)
realist — noun
- realistsingular
- realistsplural
1. a person who faces facts and works within real limits instead of building plans
a person who faces facts and works within real limits instead of building plans on hopeful ideas alone
At the meeting, James the realist asked what the team could finish by Friday.
be a realist about time and limits
After the storm, Diya the realist packed water instead of party decorations.
Our coach is a realist and chose the safer route home.
Nellie sounded like a realist when she cut the holiday budget in half.
- pragmatist
more strongly focused on choosing what works in practice
- practical person
broader everyday phrase, less intellectual in tone
- idealist
stresses hopes or principles over present limits
文法句型
be a realist about something
用法筆記
Usually about money, plans, risk, or likely results in everyday life. Distinguish from noun/4, which belongs to political theory rather than personal judgment.
常見錯誤
2. an artist or writer who shows ordinary life directly, without dressing it up to
an artist or writer who shows ordinary life directly, without dressing it up to look grander or more beautiful
Critics call Aylin a realist because her novels show factory life plainly.
a realist in literature
The gallery placed two realist painters beside a wall of abstract art.
As a young realist, Chidi painted crowded buses and wet market floors.
Unlike the romantic poet, this realist wrote about rent, illness, and work.
- naturalist
often narrower, especially for art that records detail very closely
- romantic
favors emotion, beauty, or imagination over everyday truth
文法句型
a realist in art or literature
用法筆記
Most often used for painters, novelists, and similar creators. Distinguish from adjective/1, which describes the work or style rather than the person.
3. someone who thinks objects remain there in the world even when nobody is observi
someone who thinks objects remain there in the world even when nobody is observing them
In class, Talia the realist argued that the moon existed before people.
a realist argues for an external world
The professor, a realist, said the chair stayed there after we left.
During the debate, Anna sided with the realist who trusted the outside world.
For the realist, a mountain does not vanish when every camera turns away.
- idealist
in philosophy, gives the mind a more central role in what exists
文法句型
a realist about the external world
用法筆記
Mainly a philosophy term. Distinguish from noun/1, which is about practical judgment in ordinary situations.
常見錯誤
4. a person who treats politics as a struggle over power and advantage rather than
a person who treats politics as a struggle over power and advantage rather than a search for perfect justice
The party hired a realist who cared more about votes than speeches.
a realist values power over ideals
As a foreign-policy realist, Bao looked for allies, not moral applause.
Reporters called the mayor a realist after she backed the stronger deal.
In cabinet meetings, the realist asked who controlled the army and money.
- idealist
judges politics more by principles than by raw power
文法句型
a realist in politics
用法筆記
Common in political writing, especially about states, war, and foreign policy. Distinguish from noun/1, which is personal rather than ideological.
常見錯誤
realist — adjective
- realistpositive
- more realistcomparative
- most realistsuperlative
1. showing people and events much as they appear in everyday life, without dreamy o
showing people and events much as they appear in everyday life, without dreamy or idealized changes
The film uses a realist style, with plain rooms and tired faces.
realist style in film and art
Our teacher praised the realist novel for its careful street scenes.
The director chose a realist ending, so nobody escaped the flood.
Critics said the stage set was realist, with a worn sink and peeling paint.
- true-to-life
broader and less tied to an artistic movement
- naturalistic
often suggests close detail and ordinary physical conditions
- romantic
leans toward feeling, beauty, or imagination
文法句型
realist + novel/painting/style
用法筆記
Usually placed before nouns such as novel, painting, ending, or style. Distinguish from noun/2, which names the artist or writer.
常見錯誤
2. in philosophy or science, based on the idea that the world exists on its own and
in philosophy or science, based on the idea that the world exists on its own and not only in the observer's mind
The lecture ended with a realist account of color and shape.
realist account in philosophy
Her paper defends a realist theory of time and physical objects.
Our tutor contrasted realist science with views built only from experience.
In that seminar, Dylan argued for a realist picture of numbers.
- idealist
gives a larger role to the mind in what is real
文法句型
realist + theory/account/science
用法筆記
Mostly appears before words like theory, account, science, or picture. Distinguish from adjective/1, which is about artistic style rather than philosophy.
3. describing a political view that judges events mainly by power, pressure, and na
describing a political view that judges events mainly by power, pressure, and national interest rather than ideals alone
The minister gave a realist answer about borders, fuel, and trade.
realist answer in political debate
Their newspaper takes a realist line on war and diplomacy.
The speech sounded more realist than moral after the attack.
Our professor called the essay realist because it measured power first.
- pragmatic
broader and less tied to political theory
- idealistic
puts principles ahead of power calculations
文法句型
realist + view/line/answer
用法筆記
Most often modifies words such as view, line, answer, or policy in political discussion. Distinguish from noun/4 when you are naming a person rather than the approach.