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
Geometers moved beyond concrete problems about counting, and focused instead on more general abstractions and deeper truths.
—
Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025
Messaging must make distinctions, but also avoid getting lost in parenthetic abstractions or potentially easier-to-discredit targets.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
There are shades and shadows and abstractions.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
Are these just words or abstractions?
—Karlyn Bowman, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
At Frieze, Fuentes will have a selection of historic abstractions by the artist from the 1970s.
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 19 Feb. 2025
For her, these struggles over morality and conduct are not historical abstractions, but a part of her lived experience — and her present.
—Sadie Stein, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Barak brings the abstractions of carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions to vivid, tangible life.
—Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025
Its rigid thematic frame—an arid realm of thinly evoked abstractions—carries over into its composition.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2025
Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025
Messaging must make distinctions, but also avoid getting lost in parenthetic abstractions or potentially easier-to-discredit targets.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
There are shades and shadows and abstractions.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
Are these just words or abstractions?
—Karlyn Bowman, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
At Frieze, Fuentes will have a selection of historic abstractions by the artist from the 1970s.
—Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 19 Feb. 2025
For her, these struggles over morality and conduct are not historical abstractions, but a part of her lived experience — and her present.
—Sadie Stein, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Barak brings the abstractions of carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions to vivid, tangible life.
—Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025
Its rigid thematic frame—an arid realm of thinly evoked abstractions—carries over into its composition.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstractions
Noun
-
In addition, data showed those who switched to self-employment had previously earned more than peers who were paid employees, contrasting with notions that they were pushed into starting their own business.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
27 Sep. 2025
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Where other projects have found success discussing the same notions bleakly, Etzler trusts his sardonic approach will tempt audiences to let their guards down and allow the subject matter to resonate, perhaps looking inward at their own complicity in the process.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The event, launched in 1982, celebrates the freedom to read and express ideas and emphasizes the importance of fighting censorship.—
Jennifer Borresen,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
After months of trying to find the perfect balance of ideas and entertainment, the Planet Money game is ready for our next phase.—
Erika Beras,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Talks are also ongoing with potential partners to bring similar concepts to resort locations such as Dubai, Ibiza, Macao, and Thailand.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Office of Community Wellness and Safety Director Adam Procell highlighted those two concepts as part of his six priority areas for leading the office.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Whoopi Goldberg is the latest celebrity to share her thoughts on controversial AI actress Tilly Norwood.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Hit the comments with all your thoughts!—
Claire Franken,
TVLine,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The hierarchy of money is present in both conceptions, it is not spelled out explicitly in either conception.—
Vipin Bharathan,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The only thing neighbors’ cameras will share are pictures and clips of dogs that could be yours.—
Mike Feibus,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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The reporter had already sent me pictures and audio recordings, promising a complete draft by Monday night.—
Zahra Nader,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The cuts were similarly surprising, yes, but the impressions left by each player could not be more different.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
His knack for ventriloquism combined with his spot-on singing impressions wowed viewers, resulting in Fator earning the grand prize.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abstractions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstractions. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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