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
Sandy Peng, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
As an abstract expressionist in the 1950s and 1960s, her concerns had been mostly formal, but the new paintings would be political, figurative, erotic, and female-centered.
—Regina Marler, The New York Review of Books, 28 May 2026
Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 6 May 2026
Of course, being a product manager at heart, Pichai wasn’t just interested in AI in the abstract.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Williams abstracts those qualities.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Adjective
The benefits are abstract and future-dated.
—Sandy Peng, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
As an abstract expressionist in the 1950s and 1960s, her concerns had been mostly formal, but the new paintings would be political, figurative, erotic, and female-centered.
—Regina Marler, The New York Review of Books, 28 May 2026
Noun
The New York Times also reported that FDA officials did not sign off in time for staff to submit abstracts of two studies on the Shingrix shingles vaccine to a drug safety conference.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 6 May 2026
Of course, being a product manager at heart, Pichai wasn’t just interested in AI in the abstract.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
Verb
This is the gap that Latitude aims to fill by helping firms make fast and affordable international payments by using stablecoin rails while abstracting away the complexity.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Williams abstracts those qualities.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
-
So the question is no longer theoretical.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
Their measurements closely matched theoretical predictions and simulations, validating the core physics behind the approach.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
This pretty manicure blends shades of pink, lavender, pistachio, and butter yellow for an impressionistic mix.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
23 May 2026
-
Romvari’s film binds together impressionistic recollections from Jeremy’s 8-year-old sister Sasha (Eylul Guven).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 May 2026
-
The page will include a progress summary with a breakdown of different aspects of the plan and their levels of completion, as well as a table of contents for viewers to navigate different elements of the plan.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Being bitten by Pirate Clark may have been a manifestation of Clark's deepest emotional wounds and desires — or maybe the monster just needed a meal.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, here are some other Bay Area manifestations of the Miles/Coltrane centennial.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The opening salvo of the assault is intended to distract the Russians and permit four other robots to get behind enemy lines.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, Johnson insisted to reporters in Chicago that his international excursion will not distract him from the pressing issues back home, including the final week of Springfield’s legislative session.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
By the time a signal travels from the people doing the work to the people leading the organization, it’s been filtered, summarized, and optimized at every layer in between.—
Adrienne Down Coulson,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
-
Markey sent Amazon a letter in October 2025 asking how Familiar Faces works, and summarized Amazon’s responses in a February 2026 letter that repeated his call to end Familiar Faces.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Andrews has continued to work on TV, including Sinbad, as Jafar on Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, and on the Wachowskis’ metaphysical epic Sense8.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
-
Huxley’s critique is clear; America mistakes body for spirit, promiscuously confusing the physical with the metaphysical.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 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 5 Jun. 2026.
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