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
Figures press against one another geographically, and against the polite abstractions of mid-century modernism.
—
Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 18 Dec. 2025
The paintings are serious works of deliberate construction which read satisfactorily as abstractions not unrelated to the work of Caio Fonseca.
—Erin Parish, Miami Herald, 5 Dec. 2025
Thorough audit of old architecture, gradual migration of key components, facades, abstractions to avoid breaking everything at once.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Dec. 2025
Unemployment was spreading across Europe and fascism was on the rise, but these were distant abstractions.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Safely inside the Park Avenue entrance are two giant-economy-size Gerhard Richter abstractions in metallic paint.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Nov. 2025
This is because logic thinks in equations, which is another way of saying identities; and also because logic thinks in abstractions, which is another way of saying commonalities.
—Big Think, 3 Nov. 2025
Generations of creatives have been inspired by African tribal art, from Pablo Picasso’s stylized abstractions to Amedeo Modigliani’s masklike portraits.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2025
But an explicit multistep road map moves the debate from abstractions to timelines.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025
Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 18 Dec. 2025
The paintings are serious works of deliberate construction which read satisfactorily as abstractions not unrelated to the work of Caio Fonseca.
—Erin Parish, Miami Herald, 5 Dec. 2025
Thorough audit of old architecture, gradual migration of key components, facades, abstractions to avoid breaking everything at once.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Dec. 2025
Unemployment was spreading across Europe and fascism was on the rise, but these were distant abstractions.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Safely inside the Park Avenue entrance are two giant-economy-size Gerhard Richter abstractions in metallic paint.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Nov. 2025
This is because logic thinks in equations, which is another way of saying identities; and also because logic thinks in abstractions, which is another way of saying commonalities.
—Big Think, 3 Nov. 2025
Generations of creatives have been inspired by African tribal art, from Pablo Picasso’s stylized abstractions to Amedeo Modigliani’s masklike portraits.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2025
But an explicit multistep road map moves the debate from abstractions to timelines.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstractions
Noun
-
But a more recent line of research has pushed back against these notions, using statistical analysis to suggest that the apparent variations in response are just the result of measurement error and day-to-day biological variability.—
Outside,
Outside,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Beau McCall understands the affective power of buttons—these commonplace household notions have captured his imagination for decades.—
Alex Jovanovich,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Both are confident, charismatic personalities who are comfortable espousing ideas that spark controversy, even within their own parties.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest decor ideas, designer tips, and more!—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Gone were the days of elaborate concepts, old-timey characters, and aspirations toward modern classical composition.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The concepts making their debut range from Kwame Onwuachi’s take on Caribbean cuisine in Las Vegas to Francesco Martucci bringing his pizza prowess to fine dining in Miami—and everything in between, encompassing a wide variety of flavors, heritages, and more.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his brother Don Swayze and [Sean’s] children.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Boise State head coach Leon Rice doesn’t often give much away when talking about his team in public, keeping his harshest thoughts to himself and for the locker room.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Farrell and Kidman are outstanding, even as Lanthimos' ritualistic plotting and direction keep them hemmed into their characters' rigid conceptions.—
Dennis Perkins,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
-
So this was quite a departure from traditional conceptions of the subject.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Many protesters have taken to carrying signs showing pictures of Good.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
-
As of Sunday, Nado continues his search for Pico, posting flyers with pictures and contact information.—
Veronica Ortega,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But even that can be strategic, as in-person impressions that can completely alter the game are made.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In other words, the new-look Nielsen has helped recapture a sufficient volume of impressions that 27 of the broadcasts that made the cut two years ago wouldn’t have been eligible for inclusion in today’s ranking.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstractions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstractions. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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