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

Divination practices often use Tarot cards or the ogham alphabet, which was originally employed in early medieval Irish and Pictish inscriptions.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
Skip the alphabet rug in favor or something with a little history.

— Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of alphabet

Noun

Following Contreras’ majestic homer, Webb allowed back-to-back singles and hit a batter to load the bases.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
On Friday, his only real trouble was in the fifth inning, when a soft single, a line drive and a bunt hit loaded the bases with one out.

— Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of basis

Noun

Sign language becomes cinematic grammar rather than subject matter.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
But publishing houses are loath to entirely bar authors from using AI, because there are other ways it can usefully be deployed, such as to check grammar and conduct research—although there are risks in handing that latter job to a chatbot.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of grammar

Noun

The effect of bringing a host of films together in this way is never predictable; even familiar elements don’t look the same.

— Geoffrey O’Brien, The New York Review of Books, 22 Aug. 2026
Some of our favorite barrel leg pants actually accentuate the balloon silhouette or taper of the leg by adding darts, extra side panels, pleats, patches, or other elements that highlight the aesthetic element.

— Lucía Tejo, Glamour, 22 Aug. 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 23 Aug. 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

prowess

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes