Meaning & use
realist
A person who accepts situations as they actually are and deals with them practically rather than idealistically.
See it in a sentence
As a realist, she planned for the worst even while hoping the project would succeed.
The painter was a committed realist who refused to flatter or idealize his subjects.
A note on using this word
Calling someone a realist can be a compliment for practicality or a mild criticism for lacking optimism, depending on context.
Words with a similar meaning
pragmatist
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
idealistdreamer
Make it your own
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