Synonyms of minimalismnext
1
: a style or technique (as in music, literature, or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity
2

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In the 1960s, a few composers, including Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and John Adams, began writing music inspired by the music of India and Southeast Asia, often with a quick pulsing beat and chords that are repeated quickly over and over while small changes are slowly introduced. Minimalist art, which began appearing around the same time, tries to strip away all personal elements, often leaving only pure geometric forms; you may have seen the plain silver boxes of Donald Judd, or the straight neon tubes of Bruce Nauman. In literature, the stripped-down fiction of Samuel Beckett and Raymond Carver is often considered minimalist. But there's a real question whether these various types of minimalism should even be considered the same concept.

Examples of minimalism in a Sentence

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The album moves between sparse, drumless passages and enormous, low-end-heavy productions, between gospel, hip-hop, trap and atmospheric minimalism. Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 For the past several years, minimalism has dominated the jewelry conversation -- think gold chains, tiny studs and delicate stackable rings. Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 Kusama’s art influenced the histories of minimalism, pop art, and performance art; more recently her large-scale installations single-handedly pioneered what is now referred to as experiential art. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 To channel this sense of joyful minimalism, pair a bold color with playful accents, rich textures, and meaningful décor that brings personality to the space without overwhelming it. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for minimalism

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of minimalism was in 1927

Cite this Entry

“Minimalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimalism. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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