1
as in theoretic
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
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
Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2025
The novel’s ending is the sort of style-melding genre-bending writing Oates is known for, where the plot is wrapped up in a burst of emotive, rhythmic, fantastical, almost abstract yet deeply human prose.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2025
Rosecrans Baldwin, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025
At this week's conference, the company presented 18 abstracts highlighting its Guardant Infinity platform, which integrates blood and tissue testing to provide a comprehensive view of a patient's cancer.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
By abstracting the complexities of the underlying IT infrastructure that many users face, intelligent cloud tech can empower users to spend more time interacting and analyzing data to produce valuable business insights.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Adjective
The loss of institutional knowledge, the collapse of morale and the vacuum left by Chief Mager’s resignation are not abstract.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2025
The novel’s ending is the sort of style-melding genre-bending writing Oates is known for, where the plot is wrapped up in a burst of emotive, rhythmic, fantastical, almost abstract yet deeply human prose.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2025
Noun
One gallery had a special display of five abstracts by Mark Rothko.
—Rosecrans Baldwin, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025
At this week's conference, the company presented 18 abstracts highlighting its Guardant Infinity platform, which integrates blood and tissue testing to provide a comprehensive view of a patient's cancer.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Verb
Block’s integration will also abstract away backend complexity—converting and settling payments behind the scenes.
—Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
By abstracting the complexities of the underlying IT infrastructure that many users face, intelligent cloud tech can empower users to spend more time interacting and analyzing data to produce valuable business insights.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
-
The mostly impressionistic plot centers a French woman visiting Hiroshima to film an anti-nuclear war film—a postmortem attempt at documenting Japan’s holocaust.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
-
The impressionistic doc captures people who have long been contending with the ravages of war and terror, most recently inflicted by ISIS.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in the Miami Herald newsroom.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 June 2025
-
Here are some of the other key points included in the CBA extension, based on a summary of the memorandum of understanding obtained by The Athletic.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
However, whether the brain changes are a cause of the mental health issues, an effect of them, or are independent manifestation of overwork is unclear.—
Paul Hsieh,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Maybe this was a manifestation of the same streaming bloat that has also, recently, produced maddeningly incomplete seasons of hit shows like The Last of Us and Squid Game.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
While the housing bill got lost among numerous priorities during this year’s legislative session, top leaders are now laser-focused on the issue and will not be distracted.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
30 June 2025
-
The president’s critics, meanwhile, accuse him of using the scandal to distract from stalled reforms and growing public dissatisfaction.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Among its tasks will be assisting with coding, acting as a translation tool and summarize complex documents for workers.—
Chris Morris,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
-
The Pandemic Greases the Wheels The evidence summarized in Karlin's fact sheet had been around for decades.—
Liana Simstrom,
NPR,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
These frameworks are not theoretical, as they are based on real-world leadership challenges and offer actionable tools leaders can apply immediately.—
Tony Gambill,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
The Athletic's Jim Bowden recently outlined a theoretical deal in which the Cardinals would trade Helsley, Arenado, and cash to the Detroit Tigers to land superstar prospect Kevin McGonigle.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
The president did not detail specific asks or outline how negotiations could proceed following the U.S. strikes.—
Jesse Byrnes,
The Hill,
22 June 2025
-
The Athletic reported in March that Silver would pitch the NBA Board of Governors with the outline of a plan to launch a new pro basketball league in Europe within the next couple of years.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Flagship boutiques from Milan and Paris lined the promenades, conjuring images of home.—
Natalie Hoberman,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Spotify recently celebrated the soundtrack's success by using the image of HUNTR/X on the cover of the service's official teen beats playlist.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share