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
Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
These are not abstract concerns.
—Peter Mattes, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Kirstin R.w. Matthews, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
On the flipside, more intricate patterns, like lace or leopard, may seem maximalist in spirit, but scaling them down or making the design more abstract can tone things down.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
War becomes abstracted into green and red numbers.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Adjective
Trade balances are abstract; the Strait of Hormuz is not.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
These are not abstract concerns.
—Peter Mattes, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
Within this abstract, scientists can describe their findings, the impact of their findings, and the limitations of the work.
—Kirstin R.w. Matthews, STAT, 3 Feb. 2026
On the flipside, more intricate patterns, like lace or leopard, may seem maximalist in spirit, but scaling them down or making the design more abstract can tone things down.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
The process of abstracting huge news events into memes has become much faster.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026
War becomes abstracted into green and red numbers.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
-
John Preskill, a senior theoretical physicist at the university with a long history in the field of quantum error correction, advised the group.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
-
That alone suggests Google expects quantum computing to be close enough to move from a theoretical problem to a practical one, which means other companies will almost certainly take note and follow suit.—
Alan Henry,
PC Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Teen-agers hung the page in their windows or on their walls, like today’s dorm-room posters of Che Guevara or Malcolm X or Tupac—less a sign of a specific political ideology than an impressionistic display of youthful rebellion.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
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That lurid fable was followed by 2023’s Pictures of Ghosts, an impressionistic documentary that told the parallel stories of Mendonça Filho’s life in movies and Recife’s decaying cinemas.—
Michael Snyder,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
A student who had asked AI for a chapter summary instead of reading the chapter might get the broad strokes, but there is a strong chance that the one specific detail the quiz will ask about did not make it into the summary, Buck said.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The class action suit against Google, filed last week by a plaintiff with the pseudonym Jane Doe, alleged that the company's AI Mode created its own summaries and links, exposing Epstein victims' personal identifying information (PII), including names, phone numbers and email addresses.—
Jennifer Elias,Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Moreover, the Cuban newcomer — a former Billboard On the Radar Latin artist — is as fierce and unapologetic as ever, delivering sharp verses that are both for the haters, and serve also a strong manifestation on abundance and prosperity.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Its early manifestations frequently surface in other clinics.—
Sarah Berg,
STAT,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Sear/Sauté function gets quite hot even on its low setting, so some of my garlic got a shade too brown while I was distracted opening the can of tomato paste.—
Callie Sumlin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Colorado State Patrol is reminding all drivers that distracted driving can lead to life or death consequences.—
Brian Sherrod,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Here’s the five-day forecast for Broward and Palm Beach counties, summarized by AI based on information from the National Weather Service.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
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The state requires cities to submit an annual report summarizing progress on implementing the city’s general plan and reports on housing production, stated a report from Planning Manager Chris Dominguez.—
Jim Drummond,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The movie addresses metaphysical questions such as the egregore of a generation, the nature of evil, and the search for God in times of His absence.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The most fundamental consequences of being struck by lightning are often metaphysical, and not easily communicable.—
Jacob Stern,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Her favorite is the impressionist Musée d'Orsay, which is undergoing renovation through summer 2028 but remains open.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Typewriters, stationery, fine-art museums, the quintessential impressionist painter—these are all associated with taste, beauty, and craft, as well as with intentionality and care, the opposite of the ruthless technological efficiency that repels many from generative AI.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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