modernism

noun

Definition of modernismnext
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"

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of modernism The work includes some of the giants of 20th-century modernism, including Max Ernst, Alberto Giacometti, Barbara Hepworth, Pablo Picasso, Bridget Riley and Andy Warhol. — Adam Bell, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026 Dadiba Pundole, who owns one of Mumbai’s oldest commercial art spaces, Pundole Art Gallery, and is recognized for his expertise on Indian modernism, believes that a lack of scholarship has led to a reliance on word of mouth. — News Desk, Artforum, 20 Aug. 2026 Architect William Levy Alexander designed the three-bedroom home that stands as an exemplar of early 20th-century modernism. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2026 While Belden’s former home is Victorian style, in the late 1950s a wing was put on that is modernism. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for modernism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modernism
  1. term
  2. neologism
  3. colloquialism
  4. phrase
  5. euphemism
  6. coinage
  7. expression
  8. loanword
Noun
  • Players on the winning team of this year’s Finals will each take home $60,000, while runners-up will earn $20,000 apiece, under terms of the historic collective bargaining agreement signed earlier this year between owners and players.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Several polls have shown the Texas contest competitive as Abbott seeks a fourth term in office.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of term
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
Definition of neologism
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
Definition of colloquialism
Noun
  • The pair used that phrase as an image of Bass appeared on the video.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The phrase, which started in aviation but bled its way into automobiles, is a reminder to look under the hood and poke around before purchasing a car.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of phrase
Noun
  • Forty-one minutes later, the CFIA issued—Orwell would appreciate the agency’s flair for euphemism—a Notice to Dispose.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Orwell was exploring the roles that euphemism, tangled syntax, and dying metaphors can play in obscuring the true intentions of a totalitarian state.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of euphemism
Noun
  • Within a year of its onset, the economic depression practically eradicated the need to mint any new coinage for months.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026
  • As part of the yearlong celebration, the Mint is introducing one-year-only changes to familiar American coinage, including the circulating dime, quarter, and half dollar.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of coinage
Noun
  • The institute is designed to bring public officials, scholars and other leaders to campus while expanding the college’s work around civic engagement, public policy, free expression and leadership.
    — Nora O’Neill October 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Companies, too, found ways to sell all natural products, flexibility and individual expression.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of expression
Noun
  • The English language comprises a hodgepodge of words borrowed from all over the globe, and a wide variety of those loanwords hail from the languages of India.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of loanword

Browse Nearby Words

modern
modernism
modernisms
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Modernism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modernism. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on modernism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about modernism

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of galore

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All