abstract 1 of 3

abstract

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noun

abstract

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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
The loss of institutional knowledge, the collapse of morale and the vacuum left by Chief Mager’s resignation are not abstract. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2025 The novel’s ending is the sort of style-melding genre-bending writing Oates is known for, where the plot is wrapped up in a burst of emotive, rhythmic, fantastical, almost abstract yet deeply human prose. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2025
Noun
One gallery had a special display of five abstracts by Mark Rothko. Rosecrans Baldwin, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025 At this week's conference, the company presented 18 abstracts highlighting its Guardant Infinity platform, which integrates blood and tissue testing to provide a comprehensive view of a patient's cancer. Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Verb
Block’s integration will also abstract away backend complexity—converting and settling payments behind the scenes. Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025 By abstracting the complexities of the underlying IT infrastructure that many users face, intelligent cloud tech can empower users to spend more time interacting and analyzing data to produce valuable business insights. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
  • The mostly impressionistic plot centers a French woman visiting Hiroshima to film an anti-nuclear war film—a postmortem attempt at documenting Japan’s holocaust.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
  • The impressionistic doc captures people who have long been contending with the ravages of war and terror, most recently inflicted by ISIS.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Here are some of the other key points included in the CBA extension, based on a summary of the memorandum of understanding obtained by The Athletic.
    Pierre LeBrun, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • This pick comes with a concise summary, not a full Long Idea report.
    David Trainer, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • However, whether the brain changes are a cause of the mental health issues, an effect of them, or are independent manifestation of overwork is unclear.
    Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Maybe this was a manifestation of the same streaming bloat that has also, recently, produced maddeningly incomplete seasons of hit shows like The Last of Us and Squid Game.
    Judy Berman, Time, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Shepherding that split to reality will leave WBD leadership distracted for a year, Martin estimated.
    David Bloom, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • Cho, as the perceptive and generous Jin, distracted from his own family troubles by the sudden flashes of Casey’s bright light, is wise and rejuvenated; disinterested admiration makes this man, who looks to be in his forties, nearly a teen-ager again.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Among its tasks will be assisting with coding, acting as a translation tool and summarize complex documents for workers.
    Chris Morris, Fortune, 24 June 2025
  • The Pandemic Greases the Wheels The evidence summarized in Karlin's fact sheet had been around for decades.
    Liana Simstrom, NPR, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • These frameworks are not theoretical, as they are based on real-world leadership challenges and offer actionable tools leaders can apply immediately.
    Tony Gambill, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • The Athletic's Jim Bowden recently outlined a theoretical deal in which the Cardinals would trade Helsley, Arenado, and cash to the Detroit Tigers to land superstar prospect Kevin McGonigle.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • The president did not detail specific asks or outline how negotiations could proceed following the U.S. strikes.
    Jesse Byrnes, The Hill, 22 June 2025
  • The Athletic reported in March that Silver would pitch the NBA Board of Governors with the outline of a plan to launch a new pro basketball league in Europe within the next couple of years.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The images show trucks at two key sites — Isfahan and Fordo.
    Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 22 June 2025
  • Fordow, Iran's underground nuclear enrichment site, was pictured in satellite images showing from a bird's-eye view that the strike had obliterated some structures at the site.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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