modernism
noun
mod·ern·ism
ˈmä-dər-ˌni-zəm 
1
: a practice, usage, or expression peculiar to modern times
such modernisms as "blog," "bromance," and "steampunk"
2
often capitalized
: a tendency in theology to accommodate traditional religious teaching to contemporary thought and especially to devalue supernatural elements
3
: modern artistic or literary philosophy and practice
especially
: a self-conscious break with the past and a search for new forms of expression
extols the … modernism that laid the foundation of all twentieth-century design —
Jeffrey Simpson
Jeffrey Simpson Examples of modernism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jane knew of the the architect Philip Johnson through her friends Dominique and John de Menil, who were noted patrons of art and design, and huge fans of modernism in all its forms.
—Rima Suqi, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Di Cavalcanti, Volpi, Valentim all featured in the 2024 Venice Biennale, while de Carvalho, Volpi, and Valentim are currently part of an exhibition focusing on Brazilian modernism at the Royal Academy in London.
—Lise Alves, ARTnews.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Considered one of the pioneers of midcentury modernism, Austrian-American architect Richard Neutra’s residential projects are found primarily in Southern California and are as sleek as can be.
—Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 30 May 2025
In a country with an above-average suspicion of modernism, in a city that had never had a full-scale museum of modern and contemporary art, Tate Modern arrived on a bank of the River Thames at just the right time.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for modernism
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rima Suqi, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Di Cavalcanti, Volpi, Valentim all featured in the 2024 Venice Biennale, while de Carvalho, Volpi, and Valentim are currently part of an exhibition focusing on Brazilian modernism at the Royal Academy in London.
—Lise Alves, ARTnews.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Considered one of the pioneers of midcentury modernism, Austrian-American architect Richard Neutra’s residential projects are found primarily in Southern California and are as sleek as can be.
—Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 30 May 2025
In a country with an above-average suspicion of modernism, in a city that had never had a full-scale museum of modern and contemporary art, Tate Modern arrived on a bank of the River Thames at just the right time.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for modernism
Cite this Entry
“Modernism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modernism. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share