abstract 1 of 3

abstract

2 of 3

noun

abstract

3 of 3

verb

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

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 abstract
Adjective
But a well-rounded education will always call for the teaching of both kinds of literacy—even if what Shakespeare teaches seems abstract. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 14 Oct. 2025 The screens were also used for some more pleasingly abstract purposes, like opening up a central window at the start of the first song to show Danielle singing and strumming in isolation, and then opening similar digital windows on either side for Alana and Este. Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
Consistent messaging, for press releases, webinar abstracts, email campaigns and analyst briefings, makes life so much easier when building category leadership and brand credibility. Guy Murrel, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 The fine jewelry collection debuts with two distinct expressions: one figural, the other abstract. Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
For a digital computer, time is thin, unidimensional, and abstracted away from its thermodynamic arrow. Anil Seth, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025 Some network models already demonstrate how software can abstract away the complexity of managing resources across multiple providers and locations. Baris Saydag, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
  • White Out is like something from the high-modernist era of Joyce and Woolf—dark, fragmented, impressionistic, saturated with irony and black humor.
    Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Those scenes serve to blend the past and present in a way that suits the film’s impressionistic style.
    Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described.
    Brian Sloan, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in the Miami Herald newsroom.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • With themes of resilience, victory, and joy as a healing balm, Joy in the Belly of a Riot is a beautiful manifestation of how poetry has the power to heal and help one overcome pain.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Wednesday’s fourth quarter was a manifestation of their Cinderella story.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Many young people may be too distracted by the likes of MrBeast, who dropped out of college and turned a passion for video creation into a billion-dollar global empire.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Facilities like Sankofa and Nova House help those recovering from addiction fill their time with activities that distract them from the urge to use.
    Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • To summarize, the protagonist, lost in hopeless days, eventually stumbles upon a deserted dance hall.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
  • In the moment that summarizes one of Good News’ thematic throughlines, Nobody is speaking to Seo Go-myung (Weak Hero Class 1’s Hong Kyung), an ambitious Air Force lieutenant who is as close to an audience surrogate as Good News gets.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Doorman highlights more recent scholarship that argues that this is an oversimplification of what were larger theoretical differences between the movement’s two founders.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The York study is theoretical, rather than observation-based.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The entire collection was inspired by the post-impressionist painter, featuring bursts of color and delicate construction throughout, curated by Rodarte founders Kate and Laura Mulleavy.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
  • In the center of the room, swathed in shadow, is the faint spectral outline of a small boy.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Hanging below the vast cosmic heart is a knot of dust and gas known informally as the Fishhead Nebula, thanks to its vaguely oval outline and a dark dust filament that gives it the appearance of an aquatic creature.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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