as in idea
something imagined or pictured in the mind
to a people who have lived under one dictatorship after another, democracy and freedom are mere abstractions
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abstraction
Two, the issue of climate change broadly and emissions more specifically are also not just abstractions.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Even Martin Luther rejected the idea that the Eucharist bread was only a symbol, an abstraction of Christ’s body.
—Chandler Fritz, The New York Review of Books, 21 Mar. 2026
Combining forceful brushwork with careful, architectural construction, Guerrero produces a novel hybrid of geometric and expressive abstraction.
—Benjamin Lima
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Most of what happens in AI happens behind closed doors in conference rooms, and on server farms, and in the heads of people who think in abstractions most of us can barely comprehend.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstraction
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Even Martin Luther rejected the idea that the Eucharist bread was only a symbol, an abstraction of Christ’s body.
—Chandler Fritz, The New York Review of Books, 21 Mar. 2026
Combining forceful brushwork with careful, architectural construction, Guerrero produces a novel hybrid of geometric and expressive abstraction.
—Benjamin Lima
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Most of what happens in AI happens behind closed doors in conference rooms, and on server farms, and in the heads of people who think in abstractions most of us can barely comprehend.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstraction
Noun
-
May 21 – June 20 What connections could help your ideas grow?—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2026
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But ideas to spur Idaho’s stagnant housing stock — namely through deregulation or preemption of local land use — are gaining steam as the session drags on.—
Mark Dee
March 28,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Either way, the automaker pays homage to the American Southwest with this concept featuring a retro white-and-tan two-tone paint scheme and an awesome interior that looks like a saddle blanket.—
Caleb Jacobs,
The Drive,
26 Mar. 2026
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The concept exploded on social media, drawing attention from well beyond the baseball world.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Exposure to phthalates affects sperm quality, chances of conception, ovulation function, and the risk of miscarriage.—
Shanna Swan,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
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The camp is isolated and poorly resourced, and its traditions—including its conception of gender roles—can be painfully rigid.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Over the past few years, Gulf Arab states had moved to significantly improve relations with Iran, but experts say the ferocity of Tehran’s attacks against them has given new life to the notion that the Islamic Republic remains their most formidable threat.—
Becky Anderson,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
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But at a press conference that day, Coventry — the IOC president — rejected the notion of political influence.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Unkind words and thoughts from your harshest critic (yourself) are all too common, especially for women, and their effects can diminish mood, confidence and self-esteem while positive ones can have the opposite impact.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
26 Mar. 2026
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The plaintiff claimed that platform design features such as infinite scroll and autoplay caused a childhood addiction that resulted in anxiety, body dysmorphia, and suicidal thoughts.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Here are impressions of the game from a Johnny-come-lately.—
Michel A. Ibrahim,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2026
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The club’s decision makers will meet this weekend to decide on the club’s final few roster spots, but there are still a few days left for players to make a last impression.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstraction. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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