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• maximalist
  maximalist

  noun

  a person who favors a radical and immediate approach to the achievement of a set of goals or the completion of a program.
• Maximalist
  Maximalist

  noun

  a member of the radical faction of Social Revolutionaries that supported terrorism against the tsarist regime and advocated a short period of postrevolutionary working-class dictatorship

maximalist

American  

[mak-suh-muh-list] / ˈmæk sə mə lɪst /

noun

1. a person who favors a radical and immediate approach to the achievement of a set of goals or the completion of a program.

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Maximalist ¹ British  

/ ˈmæksɪməlɪst /

noun

1. a member of the radical faction of Social Revolutionaries that supported terrorism against the tsarist regime and advocated a short period of postrevolutionary working-class dictatorship

2. a less common name for a Bolshevik

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maximalist ² British  

/ ˈmæksɪməlɪst /

noun

1. a person who favours direct action to achieve all his goals and rejects compromise

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Etymology

Origin of maximalist

< Russian maksimalíst, coinage originally applied in 1906 to an extreme splinter group of the Russian Socialist-Revolutionary party; see maximal, -ist

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Explanation

A maximalist is someone who thinks things should be done in the biggest and boldest way possible. In politics, maximalists demand major changes, usually with the goal of ending capitalism. Political maximalists believe in doing whatever is needed to obtain a goal. For Marxists, that means taking the necessary steps to achieve socialism — even a revolutionary overthrow of the current government. A less radical maximalist might endorse fighting for several major social changes immediately, without compromise. The term comes from this push to achieve the maximum amount of political objectives, rather than settling for the minimum. You can also use it to describe a busy, colorful, cluttered decorating style.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

maximalist Maximalist

The property’s design is a stark contrast from the eclectic, maximalist aesthetic the cartwheeling designer has become known for, boasting a sleek open concept with a neutral color palette and exposed wood ceiling beams.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026

It's a deliberately maximalist record, recalling the lush orchestrations of ELO and The Carpenters, with a nod to the revivalist pop of Ashe's friend Laufey.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

Johansen knows that, wherever he goes, Haaland is an absolute maximalist.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Over the last decade-plus, the art collective has grown beyond its anything-goes, punk-meets-psychedelic roots into an organization with full-scale, maximalist installations in its hometown, Denver, Las Vegas, Houston and the Dallas suburbs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026

To most, though, Earth, Wind & Fire is synonymous with “September” memes, maximalist performance and magic onstage and in their music.

From Salon ● Jun. 7, 2026

Their home is proof, as Dazey outlines in her new book, “The Maximalist: Colorful Interiors for Bold Living,” out May 20, that our homes should make us happy by reflecting who we are.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2025

Eddie Ross, the co-founder of Maximalist Studios near Philadelphia, answered your questions on Thursday about setting a beautiful holiday table.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 15, 2022

Maximalist in scope but intimate in feeling, “The Magician” never feels dutiful.

From New York Times ● Aug. 31, 2021

Maximalist shoes would seem to be a fervent reaction to and rebuke of the other recent fad in running-related footwear, which consisted of minimalist or barefoot-style shoes that provide little if any cushioning.

From New York Times ● Jun. 8, 2016

"Maximalist" often appears instead of "bolshevik," and "minimalist" instead of "menshevik."

From From October to Brest-Litovsk by Leon Davidovich Trotzky

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