ab·strac·tion·ism
ab-ˈstrak-shə-ˌni-zəm 
əb-
: the principles or practice of creating abstract art
ab·strac·tion·ist
ab-ˈstrak-sh(ə-)nist
əb-
plural -s
1
: one that deals with abstractions rather than with concrete things : one that takes abstractions for realities
2
a
: an abstract artist
b
: a supporter of abstractionism in art
ab·strac·tion·ist
ab-ˈstrak-sh(ə-)nist
əb-
əb-
fine art
: showing tendencies toward abstractionism
Examples of abstractionism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Natalie Maher, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Mar. 2022
Werner Drewes An exhibition of paintings and prints by the German artist (1899-1985), a member of the Bauhaus school who later brought abstractionism to the United States.
—Carrie Donovan, Washington Post, 24 May 2017
Khrushchev, who had simple tastes and was facing serious political challenges, flew into a rage against abstractionism and made threats of coercion.
—Raymond H. Anderson, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2017
In 1958, at the recommendation of Philip Johnson, the Bronfman family, owners of Joseph Seagram, Ltd, offered a commission to Rothko, then a rising star of abstractionism, to paint a series of murals for The Four Seasons.
—Kevin Conley, Town & Country, 25 Feb. 2014
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Noun
The song is a departure from Khruangbin’s usual abstractionism, as their own catalogue largely sticks to psychedelia.
—Natalie Maher, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Mar. 2022
Werner Drewes An exhibition of paintings and prints by the German artist (1899-1985), a member of the Bauhaus school who later brought abstractionism to the United States.
—Carrie Donovan, Washington Post, 24 May 2017
Khrushchev, who had simple tastes and was facing serious political challenges, flew into a rage against abstractionism and made threats of coercion.
—Raymond H. Anderson, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2017
In 1958, at the recommendation of Philip Johnson, the Bronfman family, owners of Joseph Seagram, Ltd, offered a commission to Rothko, then a rising star of abstractionism, to paint a series of murals for The Four Seasons.
—Kevin Conley, Town & Country, 25 Feb. 2014
Cite this Entry
“Abstractionism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abstractionism. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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