Standard Lemma guide

maximalism

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The opposite of minimalism: a tendency toward excess.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An ideology favoring radical or aggressive action to achieve expansive goals; the stance of maximalists.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From maximal + -ism, by analogy with minimalism.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: maximalisme — tendency toward excess
  • Esperanto: maksimumismo — tendency toward excess
  • French: maximalisme — tendency toward excess
  • German: Maximalismus — tendency toward excess
  • Greek: μαξιμαλισμός (maximalismós) — tendency toward excess
  • Italian: massimalismo — tendency toward excess
  • Portuguese: maximalismo — tendency toward excess
  • Russian: максимали́зм (maksimalízm) — tendency toward excess
  • Spanish: maximalismo — tendency toward excess
  • Ukrainian: максималі́зм (maksymalízm) — tendency toward excess
  • Yiddish: מאַקסימאַליזם (maksimalizm) — tendency toward excess