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 If your tests need updating every time a developer touches the UI, they're coupled to the wrong abstraction. — Asad Khan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Yet American students and scholars flocked in droves to theory, perceiving in its recondite abstractions a thrilling new way of understanding the world—even, some believed, of changing it. — Emily Eakin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 The exhibition explores how American abstraction became one of the nation’s most influential contributions to art history. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026 His paintings and sculptures are known for their use of biomorphic forms, with his canvases employing an all-over approach to abstraction. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 21 July 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
  • Instead, the company launched several rapid-response ideas tied to conversations that emerged during the tournament.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • One comparable piece sold for over $60,000 at Phillips in 2024, to give you an idea of price.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of idea
Noun
  • Out of hundreds of entries around the world, the park’s design won first-place in the World Landscape Architecture Awards public design concept category.
    — Noah Daly July 31, Idaho Statesman, 31 July 2026
  • And the collective’s street art, films and installations have used the concept of non-native species to explore how modern human society interacts with nature and animals.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026
Definition of concept
Noun
  • Hamilton’s handprints were all over the project from conception to launch.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 July 2026
  • The activities helped shaped the building from conception rather than being added into the architecture as an afterthought.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of conception
Noun
  • This followed a common scholarly notion that Maya hieroglyphics were not tied to spoken language.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 21 July 2026
  • Hawk repeatedly challenged the notion that success represents a destination.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of notion
Noun
  • Business schools and consultants privileged economics and agency models over classical management thought.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The story captures the very tactile, sensory details of Birdie’s physical world, and her thoughts and perceptions.
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of thought
Noun
  • Liverpool Kevin Keegan’s first meeting with legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly left a lasting impression.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Slawon’s first impression was polarizing in that his shots weren’t falling, but every other aspect of the game went well.
    — Tony East, Forbes.com, 21 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 4 Aug. 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 élan

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All