minimalism
noun
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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
Elena Volotovskaya, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Deftly working across a wide range of styles, from coastal minimalism to contemporary glamour, designer Margarita Bravo helps clients create homes that are personally reflective.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 7 July 2025
Suddenly, nail designs have found their way back into the conversation as minimalism continues to dominate summer 2025 nail trends—and Hailey Bieber isn't the only celebrity pushing the boundaries of the bare nail trend with the use of polka dots.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 5 July 2025
The Bright Red Set With a Leather Slides and a Roomy Tote
Matteau’s bright red set offers a vibrant take on summer minimalism.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for minimalism
Cite this Entry
“Minimalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimalism. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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