abstract 1 of 3

Definition of abstractnext

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
The painting is an abstract map of Chicago titled after one of the city's many nicknames that originated in a Carl Sandburg poem. Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026 Summer is the perfect time to play with vibrant tones and abstract shapes. Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 19 June 2026
Noun
The Trust’s concerns are not about AI or creative experimentation in the abstract. Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 23 May 2026 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
Verb
Beginning in the eighteen-nineties, Karl Blossfeldt took closeups of plants abstracted from their environments, making visible the art of their natural curlicues and reticulations. Max Norman, New Yorker, 21 May 2026 This visual vocabulary emerged in The Man at the Tree (1968) and The Wood on Its Head (1969), and later devolved, with his subjects abstracted to the point of pulp. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
  • Before that, the idea of one day becoming king was something distant and theoretical, a concept discussed in books and family history rather than something with immediate relevance to his own life.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 20 June 2026
  • This stopped being theoretical just this month.
    Renana Ashkenazi, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • Dreams of Violets can feel disjointed in spots, but perhaps not more than any impressionistic movie about a crisis.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
  • Mann directs with a dreamy, almost impressionistic hand that feels right at home alongside his more polished later work.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • Its summary, from the title throughout, is shameless propaganda.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026
  • The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • And Zach, talk about manifestation.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026
  • Dorough, who performs with Richardson, Nick Carter, AJ McLean and Brian Littrell hopes that the manifestation comes true.
    Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Smart leaders audit what’s truly profitable, cut distracting growth channels and rebuild around operational clarity, not just revenue velocity.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • If a robot starts patrolling your local garage, mall, park or transit hub, do not get distracted by the cool tech factor.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Could the model summarize a contract, answer a customer, support an analyst or a clinician?
    Najwa Aaraj, Fortune, 23 June 2026
  • Ultimately, the entire discipline of artificial intelligence can be summarized as the effort to recreate the intelligence of human brains in silicon machines.
    Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • In both the real and metaphysical locations of the show, the backgrounds are all painted by hand, something which was pointed out took up a lot of time due to the number of paintings in the show and due to the number of montages.
    Kambole Campbell, Variety, 25 June 2026
  • In the 18th century Samuel Johnson coined the term metaphysical poets to criticize Donne, John Cleveland, and Abraham Cowley.
    René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Don't miss the renowned impressionist collection with paintings by Monet and van Gogh.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace appears like a post-impressionist vision, its beige crown backdropped by the freckled green of the Maniyagarh hills.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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