Definition of abstractnext
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
The Urgency Needed From Us AI governance has felt abstract to many executives because the consequences have often been abstract too. Jay Bavisi, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Gulliver sees a society totally consumed by impractical and abstract scientific interrogation. Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
The research is an abstract that hasn’t yet been peer-reviewed or published in a journal, but was presented in May at Digestive Disease Week, a prestigious annual meeting for professionals in gastroenterology, hepatology and related fields. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 8 June 2026 The potential of McDavid and Matthews becoming available is a concept that still very much exists in the abstract. Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 5 June 2026
Verb
Beginning in the eighteen-nineties, Karl Blossfeldt took closeups of plants abstracted from their environments, making visible the art of their natural curlicues and reticulations. Max Norman, New Yorker, 21 May 2026 For The Landing Daybed, Torres abstracted the catenary curves of bridge suspension cables for the arched legs. Diana Budds, Architectural Digest, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
  • Though the math on this is pretty simple, the massive figure leaves more questions around the theoretical payout than answers.
    Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 10 Sep. 2026
  • For readers who understood music better than theoretical physics, Sessions simplified Einstein’s thinking without oversimplifying it.
    Liz Guthridge, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • As Pattinson spends a long night trying to rescue his brother, the Safdies weave a nightmarish, impressionistic vision of New York that ranks among the most unsettling cinematic depictions of the city.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • There is something in the string arrangement that sounds a bit impressionistic to me, but also profoundly Mexican, with the trumpets doubling the violin lines.
    Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In the interests of full disclosure, Hussain writes for The Athletic, but few would challenge that summary of his status.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Humans can run dense regulatory documents through AI to get concise, actionable summaries that may also suggests policy updates or control improvements based on industry best practices.
    Gaurav Kapoor, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • What is manifestation if not telling yourself an aspirational lie until the universe responds accordingly?
    Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Sports are in the midst of a global makeover from narrow manifestations of tribal interest to mainstays of the monoculture.
    Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • While the behavior was distracting, Osaka hopes that bringing tennis to a new audience overall will benefit the sport, as long as new fans learn the rules and etiquette of spectating.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • While the President tries to distract Americans from his disastrous war in Iran, gas prices keep soaring.
    Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Both models can also use Apple Intelligence and its Audio Intelligence features to summarize a recent conversation.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
  • An employee raises a concern with a manager, the manager summarizes it for a director and the director combines it with other issues before discussing it with a VP.
    Gwen Mdinaradze, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • For decades, metaphysical stores and botanicas have sold religious items and offered spiritual cleansings and readings in spite of stigmatization and gentrification.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Eddy has been spared the worst violence; the novel casts his racial privilege as a kind of metaphysical exemption.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The exhibit of impressionist Vincent Van Gogh’s work combined moving images and music.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Reading Europe’s fate through the lives of two French sisters in a famous impressionist portrait.
    Luke Lyman, Washington Post, 13 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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