abstracted 1 of 2

Definition of abstractednext

abstracted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of abstract

Synonym Chooser

How is the word abstracted distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of abstracted are absentminded, absent, distracted, and preoccupied. While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

walking about with an abstracted air

In what contexts can absent take the place of abstracted?

Although the words absent and abstracted have much in common, absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

When can absentminded be used instead of abstracted?

In some situations, the words absentminded and abstracted are roughly equivalent. However, absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absentminded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

When would distracted be a good substitute for abstracted?

The words distracted and abstracted are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

When could preoccupied be used to replace abstracted?

While the synonyms preoccupied and abstracted are close in meaning, preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

How is the word abstracted distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of abstracted are absentminded, absent, distracted, and preoccupied. While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

walking about with an abstracted air

In what contexts can absent take the place of abstracted?

Although the words absent and abstracted have much in common, absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

When can absentminded be used instead of abstracted?

In some situations, the words absentminded and abstracted are roughly equivalent. However, absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absentminded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

When would distracted be a good substitute for abstracted?

The words distracted and abstracted are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

When could preoccupied be used to replace abstracted?

While the synonyms preoccupied and abstracted are close in meaning, preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

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 abstracted
Adjective
Affecting meaningful change — or suffering from the lack of it — has become so abstracted for the rich and powerful that everything feels like entertainment to them. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025 Once solar time in Greenwich had been carried, night and day, around the spinning globe, time became highly abstracted, cut away from its animal home so as to be more easily figured both geologically and evolutionarily. Lewis Hyde, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
Verb
Affecting meaningful change — or suffering from the lack of it — has become so abstracted for the rich and powerful that everything feels like entertainment to them. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025 For a digital computer, time is thin, unidimensional, and abstracted away from its thermodynamic arrow. Anil Seth, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abstracted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstracted
Adjective
  • While the firm maintains its discretion and doesn’t disclose specific results, Blackman and her advisors don’t seem preoccupied with simply securing an Ivy League spot.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The agency was likely preoccupied with things like the war in Kosovo and hunting a Saudi dissident named Osama Bin Laden toward the end of the Nineties.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • If the vehicle detects that the driver is distracted or sleeping when the program is on, the vehicle will come to a complete stop and call emergency services.
    Morgan Korn, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Teachers distracted children with songs As the attack unfolded, staff members and teachers at the temple’s pre-K scrambled for safety.
    Nouran Salahieh, CNN Money, 14 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, 16 Mar. 2026
  • After Parish fired upon Avila, the driver sped away but returned and passed by to see if Avila had been shot, according to the SUV occupant interviews summarized in the affidavit.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Between late April 2025 and mid-May 2025 alone, at least $510 million worth of Supermicro's servers assembled in the United States, were diverted to China, according to the indictment.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Europe is particularly attuned to how the conflict has diverted the White House’s attention from Russia’s war in Ukraine.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Crockett's office said the congressman's team followed all protocols outlined by the House to contract additional security.
    J.D. Miles, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The requirements outlined in the 2021 ordinance for temporary homeless shelters complicate the city’s efforts to address unsheltered homelessness, wrote Ron Hochbaum, an associate clinical professor of law at the McGeorge School of Law.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Abstracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstracted. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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