aestheticism

noun aes·thet·i·cism \ es-ˈthe-tə-ˌsi-zəm , is- \

variants: or less commonly estheticism

Definition of aestheticism

1 : a doctrine that the principles of beauty are basic to other and especially moral principles

2 : devotion to or emphasis on beauty or the cultivation of the arts

Recent Examples of aestheticism from the Web

Translating this book is not really about finding le mot juste because Döblin, who despised Thomas Mann’s fussy aestheticism, often seems little interested in the exercise himself.

— amanda demarco, WSJ, "‘Berlin Alexanderplatz’ Review: A Low-Life for the Ages," 23 Mar. 2018
The intrinsic aestheticism of this ancient art has revitalized interest in tarot, making it a social media favorite — there's now even such a thing as emoji tarot.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "A Beginner's Guide to Reading Tarot Cards and Understanding Their Meanings," 26 Feb. 2018
Libra is ruled by Venus, the planet of aestheticism, and Libras tend to treat their partners like works of art, adoring both their bodies and minds.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "This Is What You're Like in Bed, According to Your Zodiac Sign," 13 Oct. 2017
Perhaps Abloh is striving for a Flaubertian aestheticism.

— cody delistraty, Esquire, "Virgil Abloh Is Searching for Virgil Abloh," 30 Jan. 2017
French and Japanese culture have that sort of aestheticism of perfection.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "Natalie Portman on Hollywood Beauty Standards and the Quest for Perfection," 28 Aug. 2017
Frivolity, aestheticism, hedonism, cynicism, pessimism, narcissism, consumerism, materialism, nihilism, fatalism and fanaticism . .

— henry porter, The Hive, "Donald Trump, Theresa May, and the End of Government as We Know It," 14 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aestheticism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.