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Glite Dictionary
atonalistic

atonalistic

9.9
Music with no clear key or usual harmony
  • adjective
  • /ˌeɪtəˈnælɪstɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : atonalístico
  • The composer's new work is highly atonalistic, challenging the listener's sense of harmony.

Examples

  • The composer embraced an atonalistic style in his latest symphony.

  • Some critics argue that atonalistic techniques can create emotional distance in music.

  • Her dissertation focuses on the atonalistic tendencies in twentieth-century symphonies.

  • She finds atonalistic music to be quite challenging.

  • The composer's new work is highly atonalistic, challenging the listener's sense of harmony.

  • Some critics argue that atonalistic techniques can create emotional distance in music.

  • Her dissertation focuses on the atonalistic tendencies in twentieth-century symphonies.

Synonyms

atonal
vsatonalistic
  • Specialized
3 9.1

Music that has no key and avoids normal chords

is the form that describes belonging to the style rather than the simple condition

Antonyms

tonal
  • Specialized
1 6.9

Music that uses notes and chords arranged around a main key

How Tonal

tonal
  • Specialized
1 6.9
atonalistic
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

atonalistic positive

Morphology

atonalistic = atonal (semi-transparent) = a + tone + al + istic

If a learner knows 'atonal', the suffix '-istic' straightforwardly gives the meaning 'characteristic of or relating to atonal style'.

Etymology

The word atonalistic comes from the small part a- meaning 'not' and tonal from tone, a 'musical note' or 'key'. So atonalistic describes music that is 'not' built on a clear tone or key and lacks traditional harmony.