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

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
Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet while English uses the Latin one.

— Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of alphabet

Noun

The defense trial accounts of bias were connected to Weeks’ rulings, which were within his discretion and not a basis for recusal, prosecutors argued.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2026
The combination of large-scale pre-training, distributed post-training and feedback-driven learning after deployment forms the basis of GO-3 Preview.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of basis

Noun

But being less polished doesn't mean leaving bad grammar and typos in your work.

— Erica Dhawan, Contributor, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Many are religious texts, including interpretations of the Quran, but others deal with astrology, grammar, and language.

— Kang-Chun Cheng, Christian Science Monitor, 24 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 31 Oct. 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

wraith

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

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes