as in term
a way of saying something that is particular to the present day; a modern speech form
modernisms like "blog" and "life hack"
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of modernism
More to Explore In this environment, some activists and intellectuals adopted bikes as part of a resistance to car-centric capitalist modernism.
—
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2026
Additionally, young architects in particular felt that modernism represented little more than an aesthetic language, and sought to create structures rooted in functionalism and monumental expression.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 2 Mar. 2026
Arquitectonica excels at this kind of spirited, sculptural modernism, and the courts are a fine showcase for their abilities.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Naturally, this latter conceit also belies the African influence that made European modernism possible.
—Zoë Hopkins, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modernism
Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2026
Additionally, young architects in particular felt that modernism represented little more than an aesthetic language, and sought to create structures rooted in functionalism and monumental expression.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 2 Mar. 2026
Arquitectonica excels at this kind of spirited, sculptural modernism, and the courts are a fine showcase for their abilities.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Naturally, this latter conceit also belies the African influence that made European modernism possible.
—Zoë Hopkins, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modernism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modernism
Noun
-
What are terms of the BofA settlement?—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
One called Rabin’s government a Judenrat, the Nazi term for Jewish councils appointed to oversee ghettos.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Are these neologisms diagnosing modern phenomena or illuminating preëxisting cultural realities?—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
2 Dec. 2025
-
These neologisms weren’t just clever.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The exhibit’s title is derived from a Spanish colloquialism.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Her vetting crusades have brought about a new Washington colloquialism.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Hello French has a free downloadable list of 30 essential phrases for travelers, ranging from Vous parlez anglais?—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
However, following the path of Artemis II may be confusing as the astronauts, mission control and others use confusing jargon and phrases.—
ByMary Kekatos,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When Oklahoma missed out on the NCAA Tournament, AD Roger Denny announced that coach Porter Moser was staying and offered up one of the great euphemisms of this era.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Now there were no euphemisms for Germany’s leader.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Her liberty cap bears stars and stripes, at once a symbol of our burgeoning Nation and a reference to early American coinage.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
-
This book is a deeply scholarly, policy-relevant history of money, from the advent of coinage, paper currency, and bank money in ancient, medieval, and early modern times to the stablecoins and central bank digital currencies of today and tomorrow.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The trip raised hopes among some members on the WhatsApp chain that expressions of empathy toward Palestinians will become more common at Beth El, both from the bimah and in synagogue-wide communications.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The United States not only encourages artistic expression, it’s enshrined in the Constitution, under the First Amendment’s freedom of speech and assembly.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Which brings us to the ménage à trois — for some things, only a French loanword will do — between Hayley, Yasmin, and Henry, which exists at the opposite end of the boundary-setting spectrum.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
26 Jan. 2026
-
For instance, people, a French loanword, may be spelled peple, pepill, poeple, or poepul.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modernism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modernism. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
