aesthetic distance

noun

: the frame of reference that an artist creates by the use of technical devices in and around the work of art to differentiate it psychologically from reality

Examples of aesthetic distance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Rather, the turquoise frock coat takes the leopard’s spots and abstracts them into a fascinating pattern that remains at an aesthetic distance from the creature that inspired it. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2022 It’s as if the turmoil of recent years had prompted her to abandon aesthetic distance and enter the melee of the real. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 19 July 2021 Palm Beach, roughly the same physical and aesthetic distance from Miami as the Hamptons are from Manhattan, was already the winter home of Wall Street grandees as well as whoever wanted to cozy up at Mar-a-Lago. Bill Kearney, Curbed, 16 Mar. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aesthetic distance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aesthetic distance was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near aesthetic distance

Cite this Entry

“Aesthetic distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aesthetic%20distance. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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