abstract 1 of 3

abstract

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noun

abstract

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verb

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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of abstract
Adjective
These aren't abstract values—they're the building blocks of Anglo-American jurisprudence and the Western moral and legal tradition. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025 Grief is a very abstract thing. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
By the mid-20th century, abstracts had become ubiquitous in scholarly articles. Naomi S. Baron, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2025 But for the Heat, where the team stands when a Herro extension would kick in for 2027-28 remains an abstract. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
Some network models already demonstrate how software can abstract away the complexity of managing resources across multiple providers and locations. Baris Saydag, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2025 Information, as a result, becomes abstracted into tangents. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
  • White Out is like something from the high-modernist era of Joyce and Woolf—dark, fragmented, impressionistic, saturated with irony and black humor.
    Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Those scenes serve to blend the past and present in a way that suits the film’s impressionistic style.
    Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Analysts now warn that Patel's on-air summaries may force prosecutors to respond in court, potentially complicating an already fast-moving and closely watched prosecution.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • This is crucial since AI summaries often skip site visits.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And, of course, Sundance is a manifestation of that.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Sabrina Carpenter is manifestation’s best friend.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But one way to distract and soothe your temperamental toddler might be through music.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Molina, who is fascinated by silver screen legend Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez), distracts himself and Valentín with a recounting of his favorite film of hers — The Kiss of the Spider Woman.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Regional Task Force on Homelessness releases monthly data summarizing the number of individuals losing a place to stay for the first time.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Now, even lighthearted comments can be captured, summarized and circulated.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That volume of data is impractical to fit theoretical models to deliver large-scale, accurate predictions.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The material enhances performance The team elucidated the material’s mechanism through a series of experimental analyses, including solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy, electron spin resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The entire collection was inspired by the post-impressionist painter, featuring bursts of color and delicate construction throughout, curated by Rodarte founders Kate and Laura Mulleavy.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
  • Here's an outline of some of those moral and ethical dilemmas that appear to be keeping Altman awake at night.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Tillman wore a stunning all-white suit and bowtie, while Cumming sported a chic black suit accented with white outlines, and a giant pussybow tie.
    James Factora, Them., 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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