deconstructivism

UK/diːkənˈstɹʌktɪvɪzəm/UK/diːkənˈstɹʊktɪvɪzəm/

noun

A development of postmodern architecture that began in the late 1980s, characterized by ideas of fragmentation, an interest in manipulating ideas of a structure's surface or skin, and non-rectilinear shapes which serve to distort and dislocate.

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deconstruction
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Meanings

noundeconstructivism (uncountable)
  1. uncountablearchitectureA development of postmodern architecture that began in the late 1980s, characterized by ideas of fragmentation, an interest in manipulating ideas of a structure's surface or skin, and non-rectilinear shapes which serve to distort and dislocate.

    As an artist I have to ask: How much God is there in art theories like appropriation, deconstructivism, simulation and consumerism, which from the mid-1970s on have dominated the syllabus of many institutions that teach, critique and exhibit art?

    2007 February 18, “English Renaissance; ‘Not for Sale’; Abu Dhabi Arts District; Robert Moses”, in New York Times
  2. uncountablecookingThe practice of deconstructing dishes.

Synonyms & antonyms

Similar
deconstruction

Origin

From deconstructive + -ism.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

deconstructivism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/deconstructivism

MLA

“deconstructivism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/deconstructivism. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “deconstructivism,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/deconstructivism.

Source: deconstructivism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.