1
as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea
the book deals with abstract matters such as honesty and integrity on the job as well as practical subjects such as asking for a raise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impressionistic
using elements of form (as color, line, or texture) with little or no attempt at creating a realistic picture
Cubism is a style of abstract art in which natural forms are broken up into geometric shapes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in summary
a short statement of the main points
the scientist wrote a bare-bones abstract of his research and conclusions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in manifestation
a visible representation of something abstract (as a quality)
a recent college valedictorian who's been hailed as the very abstract of what's right with today's young people
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to distract
to draw the attention or mind to something else
personal problems abstracted him so persistently that he struggled to keep his mind on his work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to summarize
to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)
took the 135-page report and abstracted it in three short paragraphs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abstract
Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026
Summer is the perfect time to play with vibrant tones and abstract shapes.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 19 June 2026
Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 23 May 2026
So, in the abstract, asking EV and PHEV owners to pay their share is not unreasonable, especially since the slightly higher curb weight of these vehicles will do slightly more damage to the roads, although passenger vehicles are a rounding error compared to a garbage truck, bus, or tractor-trailer.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
Max Norman, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
This visual vocabulary emerged in The Man at the Tree (1968) and The Wood on Its Head (1969), and later devolved, with his subjects abstracted to the point of pulp.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Adjective
The painting is an abstract map of Chicago titled after one of the city's many nicknames that originated in a Carl Sandburg poem.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026
Summer is the perfect time to play with vibrant tones and abstract shapes.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 19 June 2026
Noun
The Trust’s concerns are not about AI or creative experimentation in the abstract.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 23 May 2026
So, in the abstract, asking EV and PHEV owners to pay their share is not unreasonable, especially since the slightly higher curb weight of these vehicles will do slightly more damage to the roads, although passenger vehicles are a rounding error compared to a garbage truck, bus, or tractor-trailer.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
Verb
Beginning in the eighteen-nineties, Karl Blossfeldt took closeups of plants abstracted from their environments, making visible the art of their natural curlicues and reticulations.
—Max Norman, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
This visual vocabulary emerged in The Man at the Tree (1968) and The Wood on Its Head (1969), and later devolved, with his subjects abstracted to the point of pulp.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
-
Before that, the idea of one day becoming king was something distant and theoretical, a concept discussed in books and family history rather than something with immediate relevance to his own life.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 June 2026
-
This stopped being theoretical just this month.—
Renana Ashkenazi,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
Dreams of Violets can feel disjointed in spots, but perhaps not more than any impressionistic movie about a crisis.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
-
Mann directs with a dreamy, almost impressionistic hand that feels right at home alongside his more polished later work.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Its summary, from the title throughout, is shameless propaganda.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
-
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
And Zach, talk about manifestation.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
19 June 2026
-
Dorough, who performs with Richardson, Nick Carter, AJ McLean and Brian Littrell hopes that the manifestation comes true.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
During the conversation, the individuals attempted to distract the woman by putting jewelry on her.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
These plants either repel slugs and snails or distract the pests from your garden crops.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The insoluble character of Alfa’s best records is reflected in his biography, which is difficult to neatly summarize.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
16 June 2026
-
The last 11 years -- from 2015 to 2025 -- have been the hottest on record, according to scientific data from NOAA and the Copernicus Climate Change Service and summarized in a report released earlier this year by the World Meteorological Organization.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Instrumental rock music of the kind Horse Lords make—hypnotic, hyper-focused, complex—usually carries a whiff of manifesto, offering a map toward transcendence of some political, metaphysical, or pick-your-variety kind.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
16 June 2026
-
Rationality lurks in theology from the beginning, just as philosophy never shakes off its yearning for the metaphysical.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Don't miss the renowned impressionist collection with paintings by Monet and van Gogh.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace appears like a post-impressionist vision, its beige crown backdropped by the freckled green of the Maniyagarh hills.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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