Modernist

Synonyms for "modernist" (91 found)

Ranked by relevance and common usage.

Closest matches (19)

arch-poetarrivisteballad makerballadmongerbardbeat poetbright young manbucoliastcomerelegistepic poet
Noun(8 words)

Strong matches (27)

Noun(7 words)
functional designerinnovativeinnovatorjoyceanmodern architectmodern art historymodern sculpture
Adjective(4 words)
modern courtmodern furnituremodern furniture designmoderne

Related words (45)

Noun(5 words)
modernisticmore art movementnon classicalprogressiveschoenberg
Adjective(2 words)
progressive civilization modelprogressive education

Choosing the right synonym

  • Closest matches in this entry: arch-poet, arriviste, avant garde, avant-garde, ballad maker.
  • Sentence evidence is available for modernist, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
  • Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse.

Synonym selection checklist

  • Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
  • Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
  • Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "modernist".
  • Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.

When not to replace "modernist"

Keep "modernist" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.

If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.

Replacement workflow

1. Preserve meaning

Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "modernist" intact in the sentence you are editing.

2. Tune tone

Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.

3. Re-read context

Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.

Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.

Final fit check

After choosing a replacement for "modernist", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.

If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "modernist" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.

Related word relations

OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.

5 relation types

More general

7 entries

More specific

11 entries
modernist architectmodernist architecturemodernist cinemamodernist designermodernist literaturemodernist paintermodernist paintingmodernist plannermodernist poetrymodernist sculpturemodernist writer

Collocations

8 entries
early modernistmodernist architecturemodernist designmodernist literaturemodernist movementmodernist paintermodernist paintingmodernist poetry

Inflections

3 entries
modernistsmore modernmost modern

Derivations

4 entries

Sample sentences

3 total sentences available.

Tatoeba + Wiktionary

Intelligence services in Algeria instead of spying on dangerous people they spy on modernist opponents and the oppressed.

Source: tatoeba (8114960)

The Studio Museum in the Harlem section of New York City is currently focusing on the years 1925-1945, the pivotal modernist period in African American Art. The exhibition, which runs through the end of March, opened as part of Black History Month activities in the United States.

Source: tatoeba (12296895)

It survived the overreach of progress once before, escaping demolition and rebuilding in the 1970s. That survival was a triumph against the "stridently modernist" plans then put forth.

Source: wiktionary

Common questions

What are the closest synonyms for "modernist"?

Closest matches include arch-poet, arriviste, avant garde, avant-garde, ballad maker.

How should I check whether a synonym fits "modernist"?

Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.

More for "modernist"