primitivism
noun
prim·i·tiv·ism
ˈpri-mə-ti-ˌvi-zəm 
1
: primitive practices or procedures
also
: a primitive quality or state
2
a
: belief in the superiority of a simple way of life close to nature
b
: belief in the superiority of nonindustrial society to that of the present
3
: the style of art of primitive peoples or primitive artists
Examples of primitivism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The painter and sculptor explored feminine power and paved the way for later generations, working outside prevailing trends with a playful blend of expressionism and primitivism.
—
The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
But even though people working the land never doubted the value of fire in sustaining their livelihoods, elites in the New World often echoed those of the Old World who distrusted and feared fire as messy, dangerous and wasteful, a stigma of primitivism.
—Stephen Pyne, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
Which makes Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, with its pounding, pulsing, chattering, wailing primitivism and folksongish tunes, a perfect contemporary soundtrack.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 12 May 2023
Its earthy primitivism, with lurching rhythms, barbaric yawps and garish shrieks, is news that has stayed news, to borrow Ezra Pound’s phrase.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 21 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for primitivism 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019
But even though people working the land never doubted the value of fire in sustaining their livelihoods, elites in the New World often echoed those of the Old World who distrusted and feared fire as messy, dangerous and wasteful, a stigma of primitivism.
—Stephen Pyne, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024
Which makes Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, with its pounding, pulsing, chattering, wailing primitivism and folksongish tunes, a perfect contemporary soundtrack.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 12 May 2023
Its earthy primitivism, with lurching rhythms, barbaric yawps and garish shrieks, is news that has stayed news, to borrow Ezra Pound’s phrase.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 21 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for primitivism
Dictionary Entries Near primitivism
Cite this Entry
“Primitivism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/primitivism. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share