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
Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
These are not abstract concerns.
—Peter Mattes, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Kirstin R.w. Matthews, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
On the flipside, more intricate patterns, like lace or leopard, may seem maximalist in spirit, but scaling them down or making the design more abstract can tone things down.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Anthropic’s bottom-up strategy differs by starting with a capable coding agent and abstracting its functionality for broader audiences rather than retrofitting assistant capabilities onto an existing platform.
—Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Adjective
Trade balances are abstract; the Strait of Hormuz is not.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
These are not abstract concerns.
—Peter Mattes, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
Within this abstract, scientists can describe their findings, the impact of their findings, and the limitations of the work.
—Kirstin R.w. Matthews, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
On the flipside, more intricate patterns, like lace or leopard, may seem maximalist in spirit, but scaling them down or making the design more abstract can tone things down.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
While Anderson’s clothes will undoubtedly entice a younger couture buyer, some of his silhouettes rely too much on skeleton-like structures that abstract the body, rather than working with it.
—CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Anthropic’s bottom-up strategy differs by starting with a capable coding agent and abstracting its functionality for broader audiences rather than retrofitting assistant capabilities onto an existing platform.
—Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
-
That balance is not theoretical.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
-
If the pair pull it off, the implications could be massive, revealing AI’s potential to convincingly resurrect and reinvent our cinematic history — a potential that before the tech had remained firmly theoretical.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Teen-agers hung the page in their windows or on their walls, like today’s dorm-room posters of Che Guevara or Malcolm X or Tupac—less a sign of a specific political ideology than an impressionistic display of youthful rebellion.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
That lurid fable was followed by 2023’s Pictures of Ghosts, an impressionistic documentary that told the parallel stories of Mendonça Filho’s life in movies and Recife’s decaying cinemas.—
Michael Snyder,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The general format for interviews, subject to change, is to have each candidate make a three-minute introduction, answer brief questions from council members, then deliver a one-minute summary.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
With respect to Google, the suit says the company’s core search engine and its artificial intelligence summary feature called AI mode were responsible for publishing victims’ personal information.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Moreover, the Cuban newcomer — a former Billboard On the Radar Latin artist — is as fierce and unapologetic as ever, delivering sharp verses that are both for the haters, and serve also a strong manifestation on abundance and prosperity.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Its early manifestations frequently surface in other clinics.—
Sarah Berg,
STAT,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Its glare-free screen also helps keep reflections away so you won't be distracted.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
-
There are so many women that are underestimated, so many women that present themselves in ways that people can find distracting or make assumptions about because of it.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Here’s the five-day forecast for Broward and Palm Beach counties, summarized by AI based on information from the National Weather Service.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The state requires cities to submit an annual report summarizing progress on implementing the city’s general plan and reports on housing production, stated a report from Planning Manager Chris Dominguez.—
Jim Drummond,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The movie addresses metaphysical questions such as the egregore of a generation, the nature of evil, and the search for God in times of His absence.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The most fundamental consequences of being struck by lightning are often metaphysical, and not easily communicable.—
Jacob Stern,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Typewriters, stationery, fine-art museums, the quintessential impressionist painter—these are all associated with taste, beauty, and craft, as well as with intentionality and care, the opposite of the ruthless technological efficiency that repels many from generative AI.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Perched in the scenic hills above Los Angeles, The Getty Center focuses on European art from the Middle Ages through the early 20th century, and is packed with Italian Renaissance paintings, Dutch Golden Age art, and impressionist pieces.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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