abstraction

noun

ab-ˈstrak-shən How to pronounce abstraction (audio)
Definition of abstractionnext
as in idea
something imagined or pictured in the mind to a people who have lived under one dictatorship after another, democracy and freedom are mere abstractions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 abstraction Those themes are compelling on paper, but they’re expressed through a confusing mix of abstraction and hyper-local specificity, hidden beneath biker rock riffs, and obscured through Allbrook’s wiry, wailing vocal delivery. — Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 19 June 2026 The event also featured several newer additions, including a live painting activation by Charlotte artist Curtis King and a large-scale exhibition showcasing Black abstraction from the Gantt Center’s collection. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2026 Either way, abstraction wins out. — Literary Hub, 18 June 2026 But given the dangers and the stakes, Black soldiers’ resolve also extended to greater abstractions. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for abstraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstraction
  1. idea
  2. concept
  3. conception
  4. notion
  5. thought
  6. impression
Noun
  • Harper thought bringing in aluminum bats for a few swings might be a good idea.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 11 July 2026
  • Lacey hates this idea, but the group decides to go with showing mercy this time around.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
Definition of idea
Noun
  • After massive backlash from the community led by outspoken creators like Bordeaux, EA rolled back the concept.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • According to interviews with Hooper, the concept for the film crystallized for him after a Christmastime visit to a Montgomery Ward department store.
    — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026
Definition of concept
Noun
  • For all the politics involved in the fair’s conception, and all the tumult between the District and the President since his reascension, the vibe was mostly apolitical.
    — Andrew Trunsky, New Yorker, 11 July 2026
  • In these roles, Clancey oversaw a collection of more than 85,000 artifacts and led the conception and production of exhibitions spanning ancient history, the Civil Rights movement and contemporary art.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of conception
Noun
  • President Claudia Sheinbaum has dismissed as fake news any notion that Mexico is in jeopardy of losing the collection.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • With food insecurity and school lunch debt a problem for many families, many North Dakotans are looking to the state to control the situation – a socialist notion.
    — Kirk McClure, Fortune, 14 July 2026
Definition of notion
Noun
  • The thoughts and prayers expressed on the phones are, in a sense, carried by the wind.
    — Staff Photographer, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Her brother said at the time that her first thoughts were with her young daughter, August.
    — Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of thought
Noun
  • Here, The Athletic takes a look at some of the youngsters who will be hoping to make a positive impression.
    — Andy Jones, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • While the three-paragraph Puck item was hastily aggregated by other media outlets, giving the inaccurate impression a deal was imminent, it also was based on a key assumption.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 July 2026
Definition of impression

Browse Nearby Words

abstracting
abstraction
abstractions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abstraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstraction. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on abstraction

Nglish: Translation of abstraction for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abstraction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of obdurate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All