1. people who strictly adhere to established forms, rules, or conventions, especially in art, literature, or academic disciplines
2. scholars or critics who emphasize the formal elements of artistic works rather than their content or social context
Usage: academic; literary criticism

Examples

• The formalists insisted that the poem be analyzed solely through its meter and rhyme scheme.
• Many formalists rejected the new experimental painting techniques.
• The debate between formalists and social critics dominated the conference.
• As formalists, they believed proper procedure was more important than quick results.
• The formalists argued that meaning should be derived from the text itself.
• Critics accused the formalists of ignoring the historical context of the artwork.