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 There are also pieces by Rufino Tamayo, Diego Rivera, and other giants of Mexican modernism. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 2 July 2026 On this resolutely French island, the interior showcases Italian classic modernism, with furniture by Molteni and a sculptural Minotti kitchen. — Sarah Turner, Robb Report, 25 June 2026 Heritage Madurai in Madurai, Tamil Nadu Heritage Madurai is located on 17 acres that were renovated in a tropical modernism style, pioneered by renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa in the 1970s to counter the extreme weather that is typical in the area. — Rumit Mehta, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2026 The house at 1174 Hillcrest Road was designed in 1958 by architect Rex Lotery and mixes modernism and French Regency style. — Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 16 June 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
  • Trump in his second term has increasingly seemed to focus on relishing the presidency’s ceremonial aspects.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Zelensky’s five-year term was originally expected to end in 2024, but elections in Ukraine have been postponed under martial law imposed following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
    — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 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
  • One is called Palindrome meaning a word, phrase, number or sequence of symbols that reads the same backward as forward.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Tour of the Black Cat Tour of the Black Cat, translated from the French phrase Tournée du Chat Noir, is a famous image of a black cat from an old poster.
    — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of phrase
Noun
  • This is nothing more than a euphemism for encouraging less citizen input and involvement in determining city policies and spending priorities.
    — Joseph Landers, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Sam Roberts, a longtime obituarist for the New York Times, wants to banish the euphemisms that attend death.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of euphemism
Noun
  • That coinage quickly grew antiquated as programming costs necessitated steady price increases.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 9 July 2026
  • Lydians are widely recognized as the inventors of coinage, helping to make their capital, Sardis, synonymous with fabulous wealth in the ancient Mediterranean.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of coinage
Noun
  • Jiao Jichao, deputy president of UBTECH Robotics, said one of its emotional-care humanoids can talk, make various facial expressions, rotate its neck and move its hands.
    — E. Eduardo Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For these two new expressions, Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish and 2026 Discovery, the distillery dove even further into focusing on design by enlisting Louisville artist Margaret Archambault to create new packaging.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 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 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on modernism

Nglish: Translation of modernism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about modernism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of prowess

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
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
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All