conceptualism

noun

con·​cep·​tu·​al·​ism kən-ˈsep-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce conceptualism (audio)
-chü-ə-,
-chə-ˌli-,
-shwə-ˌli-
1
: a theory in philosophy intermediate between realism and nominalism that universals exist in the mind as concepts of discourse or as predicates which may be properly affirmed of reality
2
often capitalized : conceptual art
conceptualistic
kən-ˌsep-chə-wə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce conceptualism (audio)
-chü-ə-
-chə-ˈli-
-shwə-ˈli-
adjective
conceptualistically
kən-ˌsep-chə-wə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce conceptualism (audio)
-chü-ə-
-chə-ˈli-
-shwə-ˈli-
adverb

Examples of conceptualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Rubinstein was a founder of Russian conceptualism, a pie-in-your-face response to the socialist realism favored by the Soviet regime. Nr Editors, National Review, 26 Jan. 2024 Where Álvarez Muñoz uses the more oblique language of conceptualism, Rosas is preoccupied by craft. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2023 Echoes of Truitt’s humanistic, contemplative conceptualism might be detected in Roni Horn’s cast glass shapes, or in the approach of a younger generation of abstract painters such as Laura Owens and Amy Sillman—artists who convey private meaning without relying on narrative or easily read imagery. Megan O’Grady, The New Yorker, 15 June 2022 Like Liu himself did back in the early 1990s, Xiaojun is studying traditional painting technique at an institution not yet ready to encourage students to embrace Western art practices like conceptualism or Dada. Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2023 His work seemed to foreground process, or the making of art, with an almost eerie sense of detachment and anticipated movements like Pop art, conceptualism, and minimalism. John Edmonds, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Sep. 2021 Nowadays, portraiture is enjoying a renaissance, but at the time Wiley’s decision to represent people—especially those who weren’t white—was a bold break with the era’s conceptualism. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2022 The ‘80s were a heady time in arts education, and by the time Barth received her master of fine arts from UCLA in 1985, her foundation in conceptualism and postmodern theory ran deep. Leah Ollman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2022 Resnick’s work contributes to the conceptual discourse of the time, but also transcends it by reimagining more traditional art forms based on the formal breakthroughs of conceptualism. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 30 Apr. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conceptualism.' 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

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conceptualism was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near conceptualism

Cite this Entry

“Conceptualism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conceptualism. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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