modern 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmä-dərn How to pronounce modern (audio)
Definition of modernnext
as in new
being or involving the latest methods, concepts, information, or styles this hairstyle is absolutely the most modern fashion out there

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

modern

2 of 2

noun

as in liberal
a person with very modern ideas the leaders of the American suffragists were originally regarded by many people as uppity moderns who should have stayed in their place

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of modern
Adjective
Initially priced at roughly $18,000 to $20,000, the 5711 later became one of the most coveted modern watches, with secondary-market values soaring above $200,000 at their apex. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 Another key factor was his image-making, whose aperture widened YSL’s scope beyond Slimane’s brilliant signature subcultural documentarianism to reinstate Yves Saint Laurent as the most quintessentially Parisian modern fashion house of all. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
Today, supposedly sophisticated moderns have laundered Moloch’s dark faith into militarism, imperialism, and capitalism. — Literary Hub, 3 June 2026 For Göransson and Nolan, the ancient and the modern are not so far apart. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for modern
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modern
  1. new
  2. liberal
  3. contemporary
  4. modernist
  5. stylish
  6. revolutionary
  7. fashionable
  8. current
Adjective
  • Therefore, additional heavy rain may quickly create new areas of flooding and cause previous areas of flooding to redevelop.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Ukrainian defense tech Buntar Aerospace has raised $16 million in a new financing round to expand production, develop its autonomous systems and enter new markets.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of new
Noun
  • Collins has fired back by portraying Ossoff as an out-of-touch liberal who doesn't understand the struggles of working Georgians.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • There’s nary a chalk-wielding liberal in sight, and the attorney general might pop by for Sunday dinner.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of liberal
Adjective
  • All manner of contemporary art is shown here, with a collection over 200,000 pieces strong, ranging from Diane Arbus and Cindy Sherman photographs to paintings from Francis Bacon and Sol LeWitt sculptures.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Hybridity and borderlessness are everywhere in contemporary pop music.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of contemporary
Noun
  • Its Cotton rooms are bright and quiet, overlooking one of the typical block patios of Barcelona’s modernist Eixample district, as well as the hotel’s delightful interior courtyard.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • With Carrie, the architect of an elaborate dollhouse, and Florine, a painter whose iconoclastic canvases have made their way into the modernist canon, Ettie hosted a salon frequented by the day’s avant garde.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of modernist
Adjective
  • From stylish home upgrades and confidence-boosting beauty finds to unforgettable adventures and practical everyday essentials, these thoughtful ideas celebrate girl power in all its forms.
    — Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Overall, the new airport retains what travelers love about Burbank–small, efficient, and relatively stress-free–while adding more space, amenities, and a stylish upgrade.
    — Annita Katee, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of stylish
Noun
  • But unlike other Floridians of Cuban descent — including Secretary of State Marco Rubio — Valdes ended up defending Cuba’s socialist revolutionaries and officials who have killed, jailed, tortured, and censored numerous political enemies.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • State media claimed that revolutionaries had been trained by Israel and tied them, simultaneously, to the United States, Iran, Hamas, al-Qaeda, the Muslim Brotherhood, and international NGOs.
    — Abdelrahman ElGendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of revolutionary
Adjective
  • The Marché des Enfants Rouges, tucked away on Rue de Bretagne in the fashionable Marais neighborhood, is the oldest covered food market in Paris and a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
    — Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Many of them were designed with a specific activity in mind, like hiking or running, and the fashionable crowd adopted them as outfit enhancers.
    — Renata Joffre, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of fashionable
Adjective
  • The Social Security Trustees project that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, which pays retirement and survivor benefits, will deplete its reserves in the fourth quarter of 2032 under current law.
    — Ray R. Harris, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Le and her husband purchased their current location at 903 South Federal Blvd.
    — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of current

Browse Nearby Words

moderators
modern
modernism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Modern.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modern. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All