as in term
a way of saying something that is particular to the present day; a modern speech form
modernisms like "blog" and "life hack"
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of modernism
Arquitectonica excels at this kind of spirited, sculptural modernism, and the courts are a fine showcase for their abilities.
—
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Naturally, this latter conceit also belies the African influence that made European modernism possible.
—Zoë Hopkins, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
The silk mousseline garments floated almost like ghosts or memories of Chanel designs past, including the famous skirt suit with its matching cardigan and Karl Lagerfeld modernisms like jeans with a tweed jacket, plus the iconic flap bag.
—CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
But Cézanne’s newfangled fracturing of old-fashioned still lifes and landscapes became the very motor of modernism.
—J. S. Marcus, Air Mail, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modernism
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
Naturally, this latter conceit also belies the African influence that made European modernism possible.
—Zoë Hopkins, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
The silk mousseline garments floated almost like ghosts or memories of Chanel designs past, including the famous skirt suit with its matching cardigan and Karl Lagerfeld modernisms like jeans with a tweed jacket, plus the iconic flap bag.
—CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
But Cézanne’s newfangled fracturing of old-fashioned still lifes and landscapes became the very motor of modernism.
—J. S. Marcus, Air Mail, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modernism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modernism
Noun
-
Set fair terms and document decisions, and avoid dramatic ultimatums.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The March 17 election includes primary races for Illinois’ secretary of state, attorney general and treasurer — and while all those positions are held by incumbent Democrats who are running for new terms with no primary challengers, Republicans are duking it out in one of the contests.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Are these neologisms diagnosing modern phenomena or illuminating preëxisting cultural realities?—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
2 Dec. 2025
-
These neologisms weren’t just clever.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Her vetting crusades have brought about a new Washington colloquialism.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The show chugged along nonetheless, gradually attracting fans who adored its stark cinematography and weirdo colloquialisms.—
Claire McNear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Above this playful mess of a beat, which includes a music box-like instrument that sounds partially broken, Shabaka rips out brief and noisy phrases on tenor sax.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
12 Mar. 2026
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For example, while not wanting to write a historical novel or write a novel in an old-world-y register, Vicente was keen to avoid anachronisms and therefore attempted not to include a single word or phrase that was not being used in Spanish two centuries ago.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Now there were no euphemisms for Germany’s leader.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Early critics have called it ‘compassionate,’ which might sound like a euphemism for treacly or didactic.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Her liberty cap bears stars and stripes, at once a symbol of our burgeoning Nation and a reference to early American coinage.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
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This book is a deeply scholarly, policy-relevant history of money, from the advent of coinage, paper currency, and bank money in ancient, medieval, and early modern times to the stablecoins and central bank digital currencies of today and tomorrow.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
As Hathaway spoke about the importance of costume design, Wintour looked about the audience with a sort of bored expression before putting on her signature sunglasses.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
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The poignant Moon spins into your 5th House of Drama, inspiring hands-on expression that reconnects you with your inner child.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Which brings us to the ménage à trois — for some things, only a French loanword will do — between Hayley, Yasmin, and Henry, which exists at the opposite end of the boundary-setting spectrum.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
26 Jan. 2026
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For instance, people, a French loanword, may be spelled peple, pepill, poeple, or poepul.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modernism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modernism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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