1
as in theoretic
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
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
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
Commercial real estate is not about abstract theories.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2025
Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
That study has enrolled only nine patients, however, and the results so far show that just one patient’s tumor actually shrank, according to a recent scientific abstract.
—Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 17 June 2025
Baris Saydag, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2025
Information, as a result, becomes abstracted into tangents.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Adjective
Part of its effect comes from the fact that Fischl refused to depict Ashe literally and insisted on doing an abstract nude.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
Commercial real estate is not about abstract theories.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
Straus has authored over 85 refereed journal articles and many reports, abstracts/proceedings, popular articles and newsletters, in addition to mentoring several graduate students.
—Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
That study has enrolled only nine patients, however, and the results so far show that just one patient’s tumor actually shrank, according to a recent scientific abstract.
—Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 17 June 2025
Verb
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
Information, as a result, becomes abstracted into tangents.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
-
But that performance wouldn’t have its power without McIntire and Rubinstein’s impressionistic musical portraiture.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Regaining Unconsciousness, her first collection in a dozen years, feels like an archival boxset, with over a hundred poems grouped into eleven sections with the impressionistic, welcoming vibe of playlists.—
Christopher Spaide
August 1,
Literary Hub,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Over time, as AI tools became more integrated into our daily workflows—think live financial reporting or even inviting AI agents to meetings (remember AI doesn’t have a career at stake) to provide unbiased summaries—employee trust grew, and skepticism diminished.—
Paul Hudson,
Fortune,
2 Sep. 2025
-
They’re handed last month’s P&L and a cash flow summary, and assume that’s enough.—
Kirk W. McLaren,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Spiritual practices, such as affirmations and manifestations, are commonly incorporated into wellness influencer’s approach to achieving a cleaner and healthier lifestyle.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Time,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The book will teach aspiring entrepreneurs about the power of manifestation as applied to creating and building a company.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That will distract any views of the neighbors’ patios or houses that might linger until the shrubs fill in.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Some medications can help distract the brain, and those are usually tried first.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Antonio Torres then summarized his claims, saying Geller had signed off on athletes in similar situations in the past.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Evaluating Oracle across Growth, Profitability, Financial Stability, and Downturn Resilience suggests the company retains a strong operating and financial base, as summarized below.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This novel scenario, of flash ionization in the early Universe, may turn out to be, like most new theoretical ideas, a red herring that only takes us to a possible world that never was.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The key is making the financial management real rather than theoretical.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 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
-
The sheer gloss on her lips was given a high-contrast, rust-red outline that matched several shades of her eye shadow, which also included gold and navy blue.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
1 Sep. 2025
-
The outline of a tiny footprint in black ink stands out against a white sheet of paper lined with a pastel pink border.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share