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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But don’t confuse the merits of minimalism with an empty closet. Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 8 Aug. 2026 The cockpit of the Destrier is far from the exercise in minimalism presented in the track-only Bolide. Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2026 Celebrated for its genteel Scandinavian minimalism, the brand embraces a deliberate and elevated design philosophy that captivates with its uniqueness. Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2026 Subtraction Is Energy Strategy, Not Minimalism Subtraction gets mistaken for minimalism — fewer apps, fewer meetings, a tidier desk. Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 4 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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