1
as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea
the book deals with abstract matters such as honesty and integrity on the job as well as practical subjects such as asking for a raise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impressionistic
using elements of form (as color, line, or texture) with little or no attempt at creating a realistic picture
Cubism is a style of abstract art in which natural forms are broken up into geometric shapes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in summary
a short statement of the main points
the scientist wrote a bare-bones abstract of his research and conclusions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in manifestation
a visible representation of something abstract (as a quality)
a recent college valedictorian who's been hailed as the very abstract of what's right with today's young people
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to distract
to draw the attention or mind to something else
personal problems abstracted him so persistently that he struggled to keep his mind on his work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to summarize
to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)
took the 135-page report and abstracted it in three short paragraphs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abstract
Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
These are not abstract numbers.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
That is a reasonable philosophical position in the abstract.
—Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 19 Apr. 2026
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
And the Cubists picked up on that in the twentieth century and abstracted from his landscapes, making pure Cubist constructions in which the optical space on the canvas—very similar to Cezanne’s—was composed of little abstract blocks.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Adjective
His work, which was recently on view in a survey at UCCA Center for Contemporary Art Beijing, centers on squares—but his are not abstract.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
These are not abstract numbers.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
Noun
Each room features unobtrusively cool art, like an oil abstract by the Bergen artist Arvid J Petterson in ours.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
That is a reasonable philosophical position in the abstract.
—Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
Williams abstracts those qualities.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
And the Cubists picked up on that in the twentieth century and abstracted from his landscapes, making pure Cubist constructions in which the optical space on the canvas—very similar to Cezanne’s—was composed of little abstract blocks.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
-
With all of the film’s complicated theoretical physics and flowery musings about the power of love and time, going melodramatic could push the film into eyeroll territory.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
The emergence of synthetic performers such as Tilly Norwood reflects how quickly those questions have moved from theoretical to practical.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
With a blend of atmospheric beatmaking, gauzy harmonies, and impressionistic songwriting, Quiet Light’s music casts a distinct spell, like stumbling upon Imogen Heap in a forest clearing or imagining a Taylor Swift album produced by Harold Budd.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Sickert is showcased here for both his impressionistic instincts and his portrayal of previously taboo art subjects such as prostitutes and the impoverished.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sample ballot The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram staff,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 May 2026
-
But the summary lacks any kind of detailed explanation of which tests were run and under what conditions.—
Cyrus Farivar,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Tontey’s Karamoy becomes literally larger than life, with three breasts and exaggerated muscles, a physical manifestation of her will toward self-determination.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Still, some observers see the magnitude of the problem as another manifestation of a broader affordability crisis.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Made in response to a difficult breakup, the work alludes to two lovers parting ways, but also to Pau’s memories of isolation as a severely asthmatic child in a notoriously polluted city, lying in bed staring at the wall and inventing stories to distract herself from the difficulty of breathing.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
His father, Brady Kiser, said he was momentarily distracted when the incident occurred and that Emilie was away at the time.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
That makes Dispatch useful for reviewing different proposals, comparing contracts, or summarizing research.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Here’s the five-day forecast for Broward and Palm Beach counties, summarized by AI based on information from the National Weather Service.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Glenn Turner, the former owner of a pagan and metaphysical shop, is running as a member of the Green Party.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Matarrese delves into the history underlying these two women’s longstanding feud and arrives at a tragicomic, inventive meditation on the metaphysical possibility of reconciliation and forgiveness.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace appears like a post-impressionist vision, its beige crown backdropped by the freckled green of the Maniyagarh hills.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Her favorite is the impressionist Musée d'Orsay, which is undergoing renovation through summer 2028 but remains open.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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