abstract 1 of 3

abstract

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noun

abstract

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verb

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abstract
Adjective
Among the exhibiting artists are Venezuelan American sculptor Sydia Reyes, whose pieces explore transformation and identity, and the late Colombian abstract sculptor Edgar Negret, known for geometric sculptures made from industrial materials that depict natural forms such as the sun and flowers. Megan Fitzgerald, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2025 Attributes that are magical, abstract, woo-woo. Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
Its own abstract says there isn’t enough information to link lower fluoride exposure with children’s IQ. Anna Clark, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2025 The study’s abstract, which was presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 2025 Annual Meeting, is available on the society’s website. New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
For a digital computer, time is thin, unidimensional, and abstracted away from its thermodynamic arrow. Anil Seth, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025 Some network models already demonstrate how software can abstract away the complexity of managing resources across multiple providers and locations. Baris Saydag, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
  • The results offer crucial confirmation for theoretical models about how magnetic turbulence carries and dissipates energy in the sun's upper atmosphere, Morton added.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • This is not a theoretical concern.
    David Miliband, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • White Out is like something from the high-modernist era of Joyce and Woolf—dark, fragmented, impressionistic, saturated with irony and black humor.
    Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Those scenes serve to blend the past and present in a way that suits the film’s impressionistic style.
    Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Users will be able to access their Wrapped summary through a pop-up in the Spotify app once it is released.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division.
    Real-Time News team, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • While Allura’s relationship status is one of active warfare, each of her fellow partners’ respective statuses is a different manifestation of their line of work.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Jesus walked earth as God’s doings and words, as a manifestation of it, but Jesus was not God.
    Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Moreover, 14% of more than 1,000 respondents said at least one accident had occurred at their workplace because an employee was distracted by a smartphone—often resulting in injury or damage to property.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Critics said the milestones are too weak, and that Musk is distracted by side ventures.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • This Batul Hassan piece in Jacobin summarizes some of Mamdani’s more popular plans.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The resulting feature was published on March 14, 2022, publicly summarizing the case for the first time in years and providing Army CID contact information.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Beverly, a waitress who had another daughter and then a son in the two years after Smith was born (and eventually one more daughter), had little time for her eldest’s metaphysical ponderings.
    Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The film follows a young couple (Qualley and Starkey), who inherit a farm in rural Arkansas and must conquer the demons, both physical and metaphysical, that haunt its legacy.
    Justin Kroll, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The entire collection was inspired by the post-impressionist painter, featuring bursts of color and delicate construction throughout, curated by Rodarte founders Kate and Laura Mulleavy.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019

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Cite this Entry

“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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