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"

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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 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 In the years that followed, American landscape painting was shuffled off to storage to make room for modernism, and paintings like Church’s, with their glassy finishes and profuse detail, came to seem the embodiment of fuddy-duddy. — Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 13 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
  • Hurree offers monthly, quarterly, or annual terms, customer's choice, from the first day.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Trump’s gravitation toward grass may grow out of his decades as a New York real estate developer, time spent on the golf course and extensive, second-term efforts to revamp the White House and greater Washington in his own image.
    — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 8 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
  • The phrase fused long-standing claims that alligators preferred Black flesh with newer stories of Black children being used to attract the reptiles.
    — The Conversation, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Carrington wasn't backing away from her use of the phrase.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 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
  • The researchers scanned the brains of eight dogs — six border collies, a labrador and a golden retriever — while showing them images of strangers with either a happy or a neutral expression.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • When Robert offers to help, Thom’s expression is curiously muted.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 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

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modernisms
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Cite this Entry

“Modernism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modernism. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on modernism

Nglish: Translation of modernism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about modernism

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