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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abstraction
This revolutionary technique—which Turner would revisit later in his career with great success—allowed forms to break down into near abstractions with the wispy character of watercolor.
—
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025
As for his minimalist animation style, the director insists abstraction with a blending and overlapping in visuals and sound better explains a tumultuous world using his film.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
Engineers should hide complexity behind sensible defaults and include clean abstractions that allow extensions and clear documentation.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
The luminous black abstraction dominating the surface was visibly painted after the figures, which feel like they are being held in its embrace.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstraction
Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025
As for his minimalist animation style, the director insists abstraction with a blending and overlapping in visuals and sound better explains a tumultuous world using his film.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
Engineers should hide complexity behind sensible defaults and include clean abstractions that allow extensions and clear documentation.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
The luminous black abstraction dominating the surface was visibly painted after the figures, which feel like they are being held in its embrace.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstraction
Noun
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Miloš had a wacky idea about Burt Reynolds for a while.—
Jordan Hoffman Updated,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
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Just as the fish rise to the surface when the water is calm, your best ideas may surface when your mind is tranquil and wandering during an evening shower.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
10 July 2025
Noun
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For his new concept revitalizing the former Nash & Proper space, Jimenez is taking inspiration from popular fast food chains such as In-N-Out and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, which have compact menus with high-quality ingredients.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 July 2025
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The new concept comes six months after the owner of Explorium Brewing purchased Good City Brewing's four locations and its brands.—
Jordyn Noennig,
jsonline.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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The competition helped show off talent from everyday students who, free from conceptions around grades or college concerns, are kids who care about the U.S. and its history.—
Gabrielle Gillette,
Oc Register,
9 July 2025
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Their conception of the future was published on the cover of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which portrayed a clock set at seven minutes to midnight.—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
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That latter idea flows from a notion that if rescissions are proposed late in the fiscal year and Congress does not have the full 45-day period to act on any such proposals, the funds expire and become unavailable for obligation.—
Doug Criscitello,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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But the fundamental notion to be grasped is one of purpose.—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
Noun
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The bandmates piggyback off each other’s thoughts and finish one another’s sentences without any interjection feeling like an interruption.—
Leah Lu,
Rolling Stone,
15 July 2025
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Wang — who was born in Shanghai and grew up in the small town of Northfield, Minn., before moving on to college at New York University — is still humbled by the thought of how many people auditioned for the role.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
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Some design choices, however, amplify the impression of tight quarters.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
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Any foot impressions left in the shoes could be used to model the feet of the original wearers.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abstraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstraction. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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