primitivism

noun

prim·​i·​tiv·​ism ˈpri-mə-ti-ˌvi-zəm 

1

: primitive practices or procedures

also : a primitive quality or state

2

a

: belief in the superiority of a simple way of life close to nature

b

: belief in the superiority of nonindustrial society to that of the present

3

: the style of art of primitive peoples or primitive artists

primitivist

ˈpri-mə-ti-vist 

noun or adjective

primitivistic

ˌpri-mə-ti-ˈvi-stik 

adjective

Examples of primitivism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The painter and sculptor explored feminine power and paved the way for later generations, working outside prevailing trends with a playful blend of expressionism and primitivism. —The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019

But even though people working the land never doubted the value of fire in sustaining their livelihoods, elites in the New World often echoed those of the Old World who distrusted and feared fire as messy, dangerous and wasteful, a stigma of primitivism. —Stephen Pyne, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024

Which makes Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, with its pounding, pulsing, chattering, wailing primitivism and folksongish tunes, a perfect contemporary soundtrack. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 12 May 2023

Its earthy primitivism, with lurching rhythms, barbaric yawps and garish shrieks, is news that has stayed news, to borrow Ezra Pound’s phrase. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 21 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

primitive entry 1 + -ism

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for primitivism

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