ABC Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

ABC

noun

ˌā-(ˌ)bē-ˈsē

Definition of ABC

as in principles

usually ABC's or ABCs plural general or basic truths on which other truths or theories can be based a book on the ABCs of computer usage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ABC

Noun

Summaries of the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin alphabets in the beginning of the codex are accompanied by the Cyrillic and Slavic (Glagolitic) alphabets, which were added to the codex in the 14th century.

— Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
On that day, those two letters — MS — were so much more than a couple of symbols from the alphabet.

— Lindsay Karp, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of alphabet

Noun

Specifically, the scientists found that a receptor protein in the ventromedial hypothalamus may form the basis for the foxes’ social behavior.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 6 Nov. 2026
Plus, that can impact how the whole institution is run on a day-to-day basis, as Congress has the power to shake up the Smithsonian’s board of regents.

— Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of basis

Noun

The core tools handle the basics—fixing grammar, rephrasing, expanding, trimming, and summarizing—while the tone options adjust your voice to fit the room.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026
His work with Steven Spielberg — Kamiński has shot 20 films with Spielberg, including his latest, Disclosure Day — has rewritten the visual grammar of Hollywood.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of grammar

Noun

Writer Arati Menon heads to Kitchen on the Edge of the World, a four-day event where top chefs harness the Arctic elements and local ingredients to create extraordinary culinary experiences.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
The gaps between elements aren’t consistent, which makes the buds look seem cheaply put together.

— Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of elements

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.

Cite this Entry

Style

“ABC.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ABC. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ABC

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on ABC

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cockamamie

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes