formalism

/ˈfɔːrməlɪzəm/
noun
  1. Strict or excessive attention to rules, forms, or outward appearance rather than content or meaning.
    • Some artists reject formalism and prefer to express emotions freely.
    • The judge's formalism meant he focused more on procedure than on fairness.
    • The school's formalism required students to wear uniforms and follow strict schedules.
  2. An artistic or literary style that emphasizes structure, form, and technique over content or emotion.
    • The painter's formalism is evident in the precise geometric shapes of his work.
    • Formalism in poetry often focuses on rhyme schemes and meter.
    • Many critics argue that formalism ignores the social message of a piece of art.
Antonyms