in the abstract
idiom
: without referring to a specific person, object, or event : in a general way
thinking about freedom in the abstract
Examples of in the abstract in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The idea that local control for California cities is a good thing for their citizenry is an easy argument to make — in the abstract.
—
The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 5 Apr. 2024
Though often fraught in the execution in the abstract the position of Jews within pre-modern political units was not controversial; Jews were subjects with obligations, often a useful minority for potentates.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2010
The president has backed several initiatives that are popular in the abstract.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 24 Feb. 2024
Expecting responsibilities to be shared equally is, in the abstract, reasonable.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024
To him railroad cars are not railroad cars but a gray, generalized thing called Transportation; people are not men and women, corporeal, gross, very human beings, but Humanity — Humanity very much in the abstract.
—Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 6 Feb. 2024
Still, employers know that team building helps employees feel more engaged and connected, and employees appreciate team building, at least in the abstract.
—Leila Saad, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
People think unions are a good idea — in the abstract, and for someone else.
—Dominic Pino, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024
Those of us who love this country know that in the abstract.
—Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023
The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 5 Apr. 2024
Though often fraught in the execution in the abstract the position of Jews within pre-modern political units was not controversial; Jews were subjects with obligations, often a useful minority for potentates.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2010
The president has backed several initiatives that are popular in the abstract.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 24 Feb. 2024
Expecting responsibilities to be shared equally is, in the abstract, reasonable.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024
To him railroad cars are not railroad cars but a gray, generalized thing called Transportation; people are not men and women, corporeal, gross, very human beings, but Humanity — Humanity very much in the abstract.
—Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 6 Feb. 2024
Still, employers know that team building helps employees feel more engaged and connected, and employees appreciate team building, at least in the abstract.
—Leila Saad, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
People think unions are a good idea — in the abstract, and for someone else.
—Dominic Pino, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024
Those of us who love this country know that in the abstract.
—Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in the abstract.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near in the abstract
Cite this Entry
“In the abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20abstract. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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