pointillism
noun
poin·til·lism
ˈpȯin-tə-ˌli-zəm 
ˈpwaⁿ(n)-tē-ˌyi-zəm
ˈpwaⁿ(n)-tē-ˌyi-zəm
often capitalized
: the theory or practice in art of applying small strokes or dots of color to a surface so that from a distance they blend together
Examples of pointillism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The words were also crafted differently — this time they were placed in black crystals for a pointillism effect.
—
Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 15 July 2024
In these landscapes, naturalism and abstraction often battle to a pulsating draw by means of a magnified, or coarsened pointillism that recalls Seurat in its mosaic-like array of dots, dashes and commas.
—Roberta Smith, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024
The fragmentary style of the novel is the literary equivalent of pointillism: examined close up, some of the dots seem random, misplaced, perhaps even ugly, but take a broader view and the effect is as mysterious as being in love.
—June Thomas, New York Times, 16 June 2023
Seurat’s solution was to invent pointillism, the technique of constructing pictures from small dots of complementary colors.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 1 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for pointillism 
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.
Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 15 July 2024
In these landscapes, naturalism and abstraction often battle to a pulsating draw by means of a magnified, or coarsened pointillism that recalls Seurat in its mosaic-like array of dots, dashes and commas.
—Roberta Smith, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024
The fragmentary style of the novel is the literary equivalent of pointillism: examined close up, some of the dots seem random, misplaced, perhaps even ugly, but take a broader view and the effect is as mysterious as being in love.
—June Thomas, New York Times, 16 June 2023
Seurat’s solution was to invent pointillism, the technique of constructing pictures from small dots of complementary colors.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 1 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for pointillism
Articles Related to pointillism
Dictionary Entries Near pointillism
Cite this Entry
“Pointillism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pointillism. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share