1
as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea
the book deals with abstract matters such as honesty and integrity on the job as well as practical subjects such as asking for a raise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impressionistic
using elements of form (as color, line, or texture) with little or no attempt at creating a realistic picture
Cubism is a style of abstract art in which natural forms are broken up into geometric shapes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in summary
a short statement of the main points
the scientist wrote a bare-bones abstract of his research and conclusions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in manifestation
a visible representation of something abstract (as a quality)
a recent college valedictorian who's been hailed as the very abstract of what's right with today's young people
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to distract
to draw the attention or mind to something else
personal problems abstracted him so persistently that he struggled to keep his mind on his work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to summarize
to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)
took the 135-page report and abstracted it in three short paragraphs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abstract
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
As an abstract argument there is no necessary winner or loser between those two poles of belief.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
The New York Times also reported that FDA officials did not sign off in time for staff to submit abstracts of two studies on the Shingrix shingles vaccine to a drug safety conference.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 6 May 2026
Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Williams abstracts those qualities.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Adjective
What that means is barely explained in the show’s opening arc, which is more straightforwardly rendered than the increasingly surreal final episodes, yet already a strange work rife with symbolism and abstract visual storytelling.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
As an abstract argument there is no necessary winner or loser between those two poles of belief.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Noun
So, in the abstract, asking EV and PHEV owners to pay their share is not unreasonable, especially since the slightly higher curb weight of these vehicles will do slightly more damage to the roads, although passenger vehicles are a rounding error compared to a garbage truck, bus, or tractor-trailer.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
The New York Times also reported that FDA officials did not sign off in time for staff to submit abstracts of two studies on the Shingrix shingles vaccine to a drug safety conference.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 6 May 2026
Verb
This is the gap that Latitude aims to fill by helping firms make fast and affordable international payments by using stablecoin rails while abstracting away the complexity.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Williams abstracts those qualities.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
-
Banerjee compared it to choosing a route based on common travel paths rather than drawing a theoretical straight line between two cities.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Part of its problem is theoretical.—
MICHAEL KIMMAGE,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Put forward by Germany, Mascha Schilinski’s hypnotic Sound of Falling, the impressionistic study of four generations of women in a rural small town, could impress more adventurous voters, and the same is true of Oliver Laxe’s Sirāt.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
6 Dec. 2025
-
For cinematographer Adolpho Veloso, the key was creating an impressionistic quality that would place the viewer in a contemplative state.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
13 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Fed on Wednesday will release its quarterly summary of economic projections, which lays out — anonymously — officials’ expectations for the course of interest rates across the coming months.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
9 Dec. 2025
-
Jaylen Wright delivered quite the succinct summary of his 2025 on Sunday.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Cane Ridge Revival would become an epochal moment in American religious history, one of the most visible manifestations of what historians would later refer to as the Second Great Awakening.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
-
Jose Mourinho has been identified to amend that, a manifestation of the unique pressures that come when a club of this scope stops winning.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The Waymo Driver, which is what the company calls the system that allows the vehicle to drive without a person behind the wheel, always follows the rules of the road, and is never tired, impaired, or distracted, according to its website.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
10 Dec. 2025
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The explosion, about 325 feet from the prison, was caused by a drone used to distract prison guards, the reports said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The insoluble character of Alfa’s best records is reflected in his biography, which is difficult to neatly summarize.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
16 June 2026
-
The last 11 years -- from 2015 to 2025 -- have been the hottest on record, according to scientific data from NOAA and the Copernicus Climate Change Service and summarized in a report released earlier this year by the World Meteorological Organization.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Simitthus, too, was designed for surveillance, discipline, and punishment—a place where the metaphysical machinery of incarceration was already in operation.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Nestled deep within the twisting metaphysical narratives and international wandering of Lux is a quick trip back to home base.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Rather than a full impressionist wash, the dress centered on one blooming lily against a fluid chartreuse ground, pulling the idea of Monet’s garden into something more graphic and controlled.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
5 May 2026
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It's particularly known for impressionist and post-impressionist art.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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