modernism
noun
mod·ern·ism
ˈmä-dər-ˌni-zəm 
1
: a practice, usage, or expression peculiar to modern times
such modernisms as "blog," "bromance," and "steampunk"
2
often capitalized
: a tendency in theology to accommodate traditional religious teaching to contemporary thought and especially to devalue supernatural elements
3
: modern artistic or literary philosophy and practice
especially
: a self-conscious break with the past and a search for new forms of expression
extols the … modernism that laid the foundation of all twentieth-century design —
Jeffrey Simpson
Jeffrey Simpson Examples of modernism in a Sentence
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Taken together, these paintings are an offshoot of modernism that was perhaps only possible in a place like Chicago—an inland jewel that was neither coast nor prairie, frontier nor empire, but something stranger, lonelier.
—Jeremy Lybarger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The series begins Thursday evening with an exploration of luxurious 18th century looks, followed by conversations about 19th century silhouettes (April 10), 20th century modernism (April 24), 20th century couture (May 8) and the contemporary scene (May 22).
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2025
Her heroes were the European modernists like Matisse and Mondrian, along with the North Star of Brazilian modernism, Tarsila do Amaral.
—Grace Edquist, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2025
Known for a lively use of color and artistic approach to space, the studio draws clients who seek its original brand of nostalgic modernism.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025
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Jeremy Lybarger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The series begins Thursday evening with an exploration of luxurious 18th century looks, followed by conversations about 19th century silhouettes (April 10), 20th century modernism (April 24), 20th century couture (May 8) and the contemporary scene (May 22).
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2025
Her heroes were the European modernists like Matisse and Mondrian, along with the North Star of Brazilian modernism, Tarsila do Amaral.
—Grace Edquist, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2025
Known for a lively use of color and artistic approach to space, the studio draws clients who seek its original brand of nostalgic modernism.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modernism
Cite this Entry
“Modernism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modernism. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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