Synonyms of abstract

abstract 1 of 3

adjective

ab-ˈstrakt 

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

• theoretical
• metaphysical
• conceptual
• speculative
• mental
• intellectual
• ideal
• spiritual
• hypothetical
• notional
• invisible
• ideational
• transcendental
• cosmic
• conjectural
• intangible
• immaterial
• ethereal
• romantic
• utopian
• impractical
• transcendent
• imperceptible
• incorporeal
• nonphysical
• unreal
• insubstantial
• nonmaterial
• visionary
• unsubstantial
• impalpable
• insensible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• concrete
• physical
• tangible
• substantial
• visible
• material
• observable
• discernible
• actual
• perceptible
• appreciable
• definite
• sensible
• distinct
• detectable
• noticeable
• nonabstract
• real
• defined
• palpable
• factual

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

• impressionistic
• impressionist
• nonrepresentational
• nonobjective
• nonfigurative
• nonrealistic
• expressionistic
• expressionist
• symbolistic
• symbolist

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• representational
• realistic
• objective
• naturalistic
• figurative
• natural
• nonabstract
• lifelike

abstract

2 of 3

noun

ˈab-ˌstrakt 

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

• summary
• outline
• summa
• brief
• synopsis
• précis
• encapsulation
• résumé
• recapitulation
• summing-up
• summarization
• conspectus
• digest
• sum-up
• inventory
• sum
• rundown
• recap
• run-through
• roundup
• capsule
• compendium
• epitome
• breviary
• abbreviation
• wrap-up
• simplification
• abridgment
• condensation
• compend
• curtailment
• shortening
• streamlining
• rehash
• reprise
• epilogue
• conclusion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expansion
• enlargement
• amplification
• supplement
• addendum

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

• manifestation
• image
• incarnation
• avatar
• icon
• essence
• personification
• incorporation
• instantiation
• objectification
• externalization
• model
• embodiment
• realization
• genius
• personifier
• concretization
• epitome
• personalization
• exemplification
• embodier
• actualization
• substantiation
• paradigm
• soul
• pattern
• reincarnation
• archetype
• quintessence
• exemplar

abstract

3 of 3

verb

ab-ˈstrakt 

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

• distract
• divert
• throw off
• detract
• call off
• amuse
• entertain
• stray
• wander
• beguile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• focus
• concentrate

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

• summarize
• outline
• encapsulate
• digest
• brief
• recapitulate
• boil down
• sum up
• recap
• synopsize
• epitomize
• reprise
• wrap up
• consolidate
• condense
• cut back
• shorten
• abridge
• curtail
• simplify
• shrink
• concentrate
• essentialize
• downsize
• streamline
• decoct

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extend
• elongate
• prolong
• lengthen
• supplement
• elaborate (on or upon)
• expand
• enlarge (on or upon)
• amplify
• protract

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abstract

Adjective

Instead of abstract phishing examples, show employees how much of their own digital footprint is publicly available and how easily fraudsters can turn it into a convincing fake profile, email or message. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

The $1,200 ballet flats, designed by Maison Maergiela, featured the brand's signature Tabi toe and an abstract print reminiscent of comic book lines. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 2 July 2026

Noun

Where Coplan draws you closer to the porous mysteries of the epidermis, Fan provides abstracts and enhancements of normally unseen innards. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2026

The company invests heavily in identifying candidates whose skills, work style, and professional outlook align with the specific client they’re being hired for, not just the role in the abstract. — William Jones, USA Today, 18 June 2026

Verb

This software layer must manage data and model lifecycles while providing a cloud-native platform and resilient hypervisor to abstract away hardware complexities. — Sam Rastogi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

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