modernism

Twentieth-century movements in art and thought that broke with older styles and tried new forms.

• She studies modernism in art.
• The building shows the influence of architectural modernism.
• Many writers associated with modernism experimented with the structure of novels.

Common phrases: literary modernism, architectural modernism, early modernism

Ideas and ways of doing things that belong to the present rather than the past.

• He welcomed modernism in public life.
• Her modernism clashed with the family's traditional views.
• The essay contrasts modernism with older ways of thinking.

Similar words: modern thinking

Opposites: traditionalism

Common phrases: embrace modernism, reject modernism, modernism in society

A feature, expression, or practice that is typical of modern life.

• That phrase is a modernism in an otherwise old text.
• The editor removed several modernisms from the historical dialogue.
• She disliked every modernism that entered the village's daily life.

Similar words: modern feature

Opposites: archaism

Common phrases: a modernism, linguistic modernism

A religious movement seeking to connect Catholic teaching with modern science and thought.

• The priest supported Catholic modernism.
• Church leaders condemned modernism in the early twentieth century.
• Her research explores how modernism challenged traditional Catholic teaching.

Common phrases: Catholic modernism, condemn modernism, religious modernism