conceptualism

noun

con·​cep·​tu·​al·​ism kən-ˈsep-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce conceptualism (audio)
-chü-ə-, 
-chə-ˌli-, 
-shwə-ˌli-
1
: a theory in philosophy intermediate between realism and nominalism that universals exist in the mind as concepts of discourse or as predicates which may be properly affirmed of reality
2
often Conceptualism : conceptual art
conceptualistic
kən-ˌsep-chə-wə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce conceptualism (audio)
-chü-ə-, 
-chə-ˈli-, 
-shwə-ˈli-
adjective
conceptualistically
kən-ˌsep-chə-wə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce conceptualism (audio)
-chü-ə-, 
-chə-ˈli-, 
-shwə-ˈli-
adverb

Examples of conceptualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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 Chanel-as-love-story frame is his retort to those who would dismiss his everyday conceptualism as a poor fit for so lightsome a house. — Nathan Heller, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025 Where Álvarez Muñoz uses the more oblique language of conceptualism, Rosas is preoccupied by craft. — Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2023 Rubinstein was a founder of Russian conceptualism, a pie-in-your-face response to the socialist realism favored by the Soviet regime. — Nr Editors, National Review, 26 Jan. 2024 By creating an original fiction, ‘conceptualism’ posits its special non-empirical existence as a positive (transcendent) value. — News Desk, Artforum, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conceptualism

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conceptualism was in 1819

Rhymes for conceptualism

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Browse Nearby Words

conceptualise
conceptualism
conceptualist
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Cite this Entry

“Conceptualism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conceptualism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on conceptualism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about conceptualism

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