expressionism

noun

ex·​pres·​sion·​ism ik-ˈspre-shə-ˌni-zəm 

variants often Expressionism

: a theory or practice in art of seeking to depict the subjective emotions and responses that objects and events arouse in the artist

expressionist

ik-ˈspre-shə-nist 

noun or adjective

often Expressionist

expressionistic

ik-ˌspre-shə-ˈni-stik 

adjective

expressionistically

ik-ˌspre-shə-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of expressionism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This take on the mad clown of Gotham is less Jack Nicholson and George Romero, choosing a more stoic approach inspired by Conrad Veidt silent films and German expressionism. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026

Apparently, this change took place in 2022 when Ankara, the capital of Turkey, sent in a formal request to rebrand its country's name to a name that better highlights its culture and expressionism. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026

Impressionism, expressionism, surrealism, and modern art emerged not despite photography, but because of it. — Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 3 June 2026

That, to me, is indicative of German expressionism, the choreography. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 27 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1901, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing expressionism

• abstract expressionism

Rhymes for expressionism

• activism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism
• calvinism