as in notions
something imagined or pictured in the mind
to a people who have lived under one dictatorship after another, democracy and freedom are mere abstractions
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Recent Examples of abstractions
The reader is meant to fill those abstractions—what injustice is?
—
Craig Morgan Teicher, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
By assigning a location, a water estimate, and an energy profile to facilities that often exist only as abstractions, the tool gives residents a concrete starting point for understanding what is being built near them.
—Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The resulting abstractions speak quietly but powerfully about migration, legitimacy, and the systems that regulate belonging.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
My patients were not abstractions.
—Frances Mei Hardin, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Having failed to please Greene with her abstractions, Lovelace O’Neal applied the powder directly to her white canvases, covering it in black pigment that became a background to pastel squiggles.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026
Advertisement The eight children killed in Shreveport—Jayla, Shayla, Kayla, Layla, Markaydon, Sariahh, Khedarrion, and Braylon were not abstractions.
—Earl Smith, Time, 5 May 2026
The approach could feel guarded, reducing intense emotions to abstractions, but in Llobet’s cutting delivery, even the haziest imagery feels personal and real.
—Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
When the news breaks of faraway civilian casualties — an erroneous air strike on a school that relied on outdated intelligence, for example — the mind takes refuge in abstractions and statistics.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Craig Morgan Teicher, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
By assigning a location, a water estimate, and an energy profile to facilities that often exist only as abstractions, the tool gives residents a concrete starting point for understanding what is being built near them.
—Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The resulting abstractions speak quietly but powerfully about migration, legitimacy, and the systems that regulate belonging.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
My patients were not abstractions.
—Frances Mei Hardin, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
Having failed to please Greene with her abstractions, Lovelace O’Neal applied the powder directly to her white canvases, covering it in black pigment that became a background to pastel squiggles.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026
Advertisement The eight children killed in Shreveport—Jayla, Shayla, Kayla, Layla, Markaydon, Sariahh, Khedarrion, and Braylon were not abstractions.
—Earl Smith, Time, 5 May 2026
The approach could feel guarded, reducing intense emotions to abstractions, but in Llobet’s cutting delivery, even the haziest imagery feels personal and real.
—Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
When the news breaks of faraway civilian casualties — an erroneous air strike on a school that relied on outdated intelligence, for example — the mind takes refuge in abstractions and statistics.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstractions
Noun
-
This was a Jean Paul Gualitier wrap that challenged traditional notions of how a top male soccer player should appear, sending the British tabloids into a hysterical spin.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
Ancient notions, dating back to Ptolemy, claimed that Africa was surrounded by boiling seas filled with giant creatures, whirlpools, and perpetual darkness.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
While Breez grew up immersed in South Florida boating culture, Gone became interested in what the lifestyle brand reveals about broader ideas of belonging and the balance of power.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
Ongoing facilities master planning that focuses on capital investments and integrates community ideas into the future of existing buildings can minimize disruptions and build trust with communities affected.—
Julia McWilliams,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Lestat justifies his, uh, connection with Gabriella by arguing that vampires transcend petty human concepts like conventional morality.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 June 2026
-
The program is bringing temporary retail concepts to vacant and underused commercial storefronts across downtown Atlanta.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
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But let’s try to commit to a couple more days of good work and maybe cement some of those thoughts and habits.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
7 June 2026
-
Our thoughts remain with the people in the Congo who do not have access to such care.—
Mark Osborne,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Users could compare the two and get a window into their own conceptions of the game.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
The conservatism that would eventually hobble the daytime soap had its roots in this era, when soap viewers with especially fragile sensibilities had specific conceptions of what topics a soap should cover and made no bones about airing their protests.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Noun
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On a recent day, a stream of visitors, including school children, walked through the circular room, stopping to sit behind the desk and pose for pictures.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
-
On a recent day, a stream of visitors, including schoolchildren, walked through the circular room, stopping to sit behind the desk and pose for pictures.—
Sophia Tareen,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Known for his enthusiastic impressions and warm camaraderie with Andy, Goober quickly became a fan favorite.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 June 2026
-
After the third day of OTAs wrapped up, safety Talanoa Hufanga gave his initial impressions of Waddle.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstractions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstractions. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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