as in liberals
a person with very modern ideas
a time when Paris was the center of the universe for modernists in the art world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 modernists
Often, modernists didn’t have a coherent vision of the body so much as a criticism of it.
—
Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
But there’s also rare Togo Fireside chairs in a deep tobacco color, the classic Eames lounge chair, and a moody brown Ellison Studios Muse sofa inspired by the Italian modernists of the 1970s.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026
There’s a tremendous sense of movement to her prose, combined with a ground-level lens that brings to mind early 20th century modernists.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
Conrad Buff was one of the most significant modernists in California who has remained relatively unknown — until now.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Nov. 2025
Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
But there’s also rare Togo Fireside chairs in a deep tobacco color, the classic Eames lounge chair, and a moody brown Ellison Studios Muse sofa inspired by the Italian modernists of the 1970s.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026
There’s a tremendous sense of movement to her prose, combined with a ground-level lens that brings to mind early 20th century modernists.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
Conrad Buff was one of the most significant modernists in California who has remained relatively unknown — until now.
—Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modernists
Noun
-
Tad’s subjects were the moderns.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the second half of the 20th century, everyone who was anyone in American culture – from Hollywood icons to presidents and revolutionaries – had their portrait taken by Avedon.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
In a video message, Rubio discussed the faith of American revolutionaries and the role of Christian missionaries who aimed to spread the Gospel through the country's western expansion.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modernists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modernists. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
