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
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 abstractions
The families in these shelters are not abstractions in a policy debate.
—
Ken Toltz, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
This led to basic abstractions like the body and the circle, the body and the square, constructivist garments in which the body becomes a tube, and finally square and circular cutaways in the dresses.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 27 Feb. 2026
German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans opens his 10th Los Angeles exhibition at Regen Projects, showcasing work spanning fine art, portraiture and experimental abstractions.
—Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
What has been hardest is seeing ordinary lives, families, young people, civilians slowly reduced to headlines or abstractions, rather than recognized as individuals living under immense and sustained pressure.
—Emily Chan, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Some of these abstractions are more evocative than others.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
The killing of Renee Good demands more than reassurances and legal abstractions or thoughts and prayers.
—Yohuru Williams, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Figures press against one another geographically, and against the polite abstractions of mid-century modernism.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 18 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
Ken Toltz, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
This led to basic abstractions like the body and the circle, the body and the square, constructivist garments in which the body becomes a tube, and finally square and circular cutaways in the dresses.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 27 Feb. 2026
German photographer Wolfgang Tillmans opens his 10th Los Angeles exhibition at Regen Projects, showcasing work spanning fine art, portraiture and experimental abstractions.
—Steve Appleford, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
What has been hardest is seeing ordinary lives, families, young people, civilians slowly reduced to headlines or abstractions, rather than recognized as individuals living under immense and sustained pressure.
—Emily Chan, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Some of these abstractions are more evocative than others.
—H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
The killing of Renee Good demands more than reassurances and legal abstractions or thoughts and prayers.
—Yohuru Williams, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Figures press against one another geographically, and against the polite abstractions of mid-century modernism.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 18 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstractions
Noun
-
The brand new house aims to shake up the old publishing playbook by exploding notions of genre and form, and celebrating the subcultures driving artistic innovation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Everyone was looking for an edge, and that trumped clinging to old notions.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Eight months ago, production designers Misty Buckley and Alana Billingsley began proposing new ideas for the 2026 Academy Awards stage.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Newly out of school, Stanton was at first less interested in Smith’s ideas than she was attracted to the excitement and glamour of his circle.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Back at Catholic High, Davis redesigned her chemistry unit with a focus on teaching chemistry through the lens of water treatment, helping students connect core concepts to real-world applications.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Your inventive concepts land better when the delivery is simple and well-paced.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Another bangs his head against the wall after expressing suicidal thoughts.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Final thoughts Lots of giggling tonight.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Second, however, at the chasm between the Framers’ conceptions of Presidential war power and the unbounded nature of that authority today.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Rising above material needs, our current conceptions of class, identity, and climate will shift radically.—
Andrew Norman Wilson,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While beautiful at first, once all of the Instagram pictures were taken, the open-air space started to get old for me.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
-
In the other, a 9-year-old Khimberly held drawings and pictures for a school project.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The series is the perfect receptacle to hold all of Ullman's characters, impressions, and ruminations on British life.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Final impressions The 2026 Mazda CX-30 will not overwhelm you with brute force.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstractions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstractions. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
