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
Megan Fitzgerald, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2025
Attributes that are magical, abstract, woo-woo.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Anna Clark, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2025
The study’s abstract, which was presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 2025 Annual Meeting, is available on the society’s website.
—New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2025
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
For a digital computer, time is thin, unidimensional, and abstracted away from its thermodynamic arrow.
—Anil Seth, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Adjective
Among the exhibiting artists are Venezuelan American sculptor Sydia Reyes, whose pieces explore transformation and identity, and the late Colombian abstract sculptor Edgar Negret, known for geometric sculptures made from industrial materials that depict natural forms such as the sun and flowers.
—Megan Fitzgerald, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2025
Attributes that are magical, abstract, woo-woo.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
Its own abstract says there isn’t enough information to link lower fluoride exposure with children’s IQ.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2025
The study’s abstract, which was presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 2025 Annual Meeting, is available on the society’s website.
—New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
Affecting meaningful change — or suffering from the lack of it — has become so abstracted for the rich and powerful that everything feels like entertainment to them.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
For a digital computer, time is thin, unidimensional, and abstracted away from its thermodynamic arrow.
—Anil Seth, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
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By modeling the physics behind this phenomenon, researchers discovered that the human hand’s sensitivity approaches the theoretical limit of what can be detected through mechanical reflections.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
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What Happens Next Some companies have experimented with shorter workweeks and reported gains in productivity and employee well-being, but the shift toward a widespread three-day or even four-day schedule is still largely theoretical.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Residents were initially given a two-page summary.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
AZCentral.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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The final sequence was a perfect summary of the Horned Frogs’ weaknesses, as an improved defense struggled yet again to get off the field on crucial downs.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Despite the backaches, headaches, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, sweating and various other physical manifestations from Clarke’s manifestation of the Murdaugh family patriarch, Jason was never going to actually catch up to Alex on the scale.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
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Much of the fan speculation and manifestation surrounding KATSEYE’s Grammy chances centered on the Best New Artist category.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Moreover, 14% of more than 1,000 respondents said at least one accident had occurred at their workplace because an employee was distracted by a smartphone—often resulting in injury or damage to property.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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Critics said the milestones are too weak, and that Musk is distracted by side ventures.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This Batul Hassan piece in Jacobin summarizes some of Mamdani’s more popular plans.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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The resulting feature was published on March 14, 2022, publicly summarizing the case for the first time in years and providing Army CID contact information.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Beverly, a waitress who had another daughter and then a son in the two years after Smith was born (and eventually one more daughter), had little time for her eldest’s metaphysical ponderings.—
Amy Weiss-Meyer,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
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The film follows a young couple (Qualley and Starkey), who inherit a farm in rural Arkansas and must conquer the demons, both physical and metaphysical, that haunt its legacy.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The siblings also became regulars at the gallery of Ambroise Vollard, purchasing impressionist works by Claude Monet and Edgar Degas as well as more innovative ones by Paul Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh.—
Daphne Merkin,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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