1. extreme realism in art or literature that depicts subjects with uncompromising accuracy and attention to detail
Usage: art and literary criticism

Examples

• The sculptor’s commitment to verism resulted in portraits that captured every wrinkle and blemish.
• Italian verism in opera brought gritty, everyday stories to the stage.
• The novel’s verism made readers uncomfortable with its unflinching portrayal of poverty.
• Critics praised the film’s verism in depicting urban life.
• The artist rejected romantic idealization in favor of stark verism.
• Verism dominated the literary movement of the late 19th century.