Definition of primitivism
1 : primitive practices or procedures; also : a primitive quality or state
2a : belief in the superiority of a simple way of life close to natureb : belief in the superiority of nonindustrial society to that of the present
3 : the style of art of primitive peoples or primitive artists
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Recent Examples of primitivism from the Web
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This and the political and military primitivism of some adversaries (e.g., the Islamic State) are reshaping the environment in which airpower operates, and the purposes of this power.
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A lot of students learn about history through art, and the narrative of anything related to Africa and Polynesia and indigenous America is still laden with this notion of primitivism.
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Curtis, meanwhile, was inclined to invent scenarios, expunging inconvenient details in order to emphasize a concept of primitivism.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'primitivism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of primitivism
1861
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See words that rhyme with primitivism Britannica English: Translation of primitivism for Arabic speakers
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