atomistic
adjective
at·om·is·tic
ˌa-tə-ˈmi-stik 
2
: composed of many simple elements
also
: characterized by or resulting from division into unconnected or antagonistic fragments
an atomistic society
Examples of atomistic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This is hardly new news to the very people Lynn is criticizing (who have spent decades aggressively making that very case that an atomistic understanding of markets fails in its duty to meet the conditions for human flourishing).
—
David L. Bahnsen, National Review, 20 Jan. 2024
The atomistic image is metaphorical.
—Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2021
Fermi, Pasta and Ulam wanted to use their new problem-solving tool—computer simulation—to virtually zoom in on a system and observe atomistic interactions at the molecular level, with a realism that was not possible before.
—Virginia Grant, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2021
But Nayfeh’s research resulted in a new form of silicon that exists between solid and atomistic states.
—David Lumb, Popular Mechanics, 9 Dec. 2020
By the Middle Ages, atomistic ideas had been mostly eclipsed by Aristotle’s theory that four principal elements—fire, earth, water, and air—combined to form the various objects in the universe.
—Neima Jahromi, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2019
Harding’s atomistic approach was at least in sync with the composer’s here.
—Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Apr. 2018
Traditional polls are atomistic, focusing nearly entirely on characteristics and opinions of the individual respondent and aiming for a single target: Election Day.
—Andrew Gelman, Slate Magazine, 5 Sep. 2017
Atomistic individuals are linked to family—family now and their ancestors—along with friends and community and congregation.
—Bryan Walsh, Time, 7 Aug. 2017
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David L. Bahnsen, National Review, 20 Jan. 2024
The atomistic image is metaphorical.
—Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2021
Fermi, Pasta and Ulam wanted to use their new problem-solving tool—computer simulation—to virtually zoom in on a system and observe atomistic interactions at the molecular level, with a realism that was not possible before.
—Virginia Grant, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2021
But Nayfeh’s research resulted in a new form of silicon that exists between solid and atomistic states.
—David Lumb, Popular Mechanics, 9 Dec. 2020
By the Middle Ages, atomistic ideas had been mostly eclipsed by Aristotle’s theory that four principal elements—fire, earth, water, and air—combined to form the various objects in the universe.
—Neima Jahromi, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2019
Harding’s atomistic approach was at least in sync with the composer’s here.
—Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Apr. 2018
Traditional polls are atomistic, focusing nearly entirely on characteristics and opinions of the individual respondent and aiming for a single target: Election Day.
—Andrew Gelman, Slate Magazine, 5 Sep. 2017
Atomistic individuals are linked to family—family now and their ancestors—along with friends and community and congregation.
—Bryan Walsh, Time, 7 Aug. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Atomistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atomistic. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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atomistic
adjective
at·om·is·tic
ˌat-ə-ˈmis-tik
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