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
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
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
As an abstract argument there is no necessary winner or loser between those two poles of belief.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 23 May 2026
So, in the abstract, asking EV and PHEV owners to pay their share is not unreasonable, especially since the slightly higher curb weight of these vehicles will do slightly more damage to the roads, although passenger vehicles are a rounding error compared to a garbage truck, bus, or tractor-trailer.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Williams abstracts those qualities.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Adjective
What that means is barely explained in the show’s opening arc, which is more straightforwardly rendered than the increasingly surreal final episodes, yet already a strange work rife with symbolism and abstract visual storytelling.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
As an abstract argument there is no necessary winner or loser between those two poles of belief.
—Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Noun
The Trust’s concerns are not about AI or creative experimentation in the abstract.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 23 May 2026
So, in the abstract, asking EV and PHEV owners to pay their share is not unreasonable, especially since the slightly higher curb weight of these vehicles will do slightly more damage to the roads, although passenger vehicles are a rounding error compared to a garbage truck, bus, or tractor-trailer.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
Verb
This is the gap that Latitude aims to fill by helping firms make fast and affordable international payments by using stablecoin rails while abstracting away the complexity.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Williams abstracts those qualities.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
-
The cycle resembled theoretical versions of a Big Bang followed by a Big Crunch, a scenario in which the universe’s expansion eventually reverses.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
-
Though theoretical predictions suggest quantum systems could accelerate AI optimization tasks by 10^6 or more for specific problem classes, quantum machine learning remains experimental.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
Dreams of Violets can feel disjointed in spots, but perhaps not more than any impressionistic movie about a crisis.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
-
Mann directs with a dreamy, almost impressionistic hand that feels right at home alongside his more polished later work.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Chapter 101 of Florida Statutes limits a ballot summary to 75 words.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2026
-
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
The Cane Ridge Revival would become an epochal moment in American religious history, one of the most visible manifestations of what historians would later refer to as the Second Great Awakening.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
-
The pastor was said to have died of a severe abdominal infection, which could have been a manifestation of Ebola.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
During the conversation, the individuals attempted to distract the woman by putting jewelry on her.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
These plants either repel slugs and snails or distract the pests from your garden crops.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
The insoluble character of Alfa’s best records is reflected in his biography, which is difficult to neatly summarize.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
16 June 2026
-
The last 11 years -- from 2015 to 2025 -- have been the hottest on record, according to scientific data from NOAA and the Copernicus Climate Change Service and summarized in a report released earlier this year by the World Meteorological Organization.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Instrumental rock music of the kind Horse Lords make—hypnotic, hyper-focused, complex—usually carries a whiff of manifesto, offering a map toward transcendence of some political, metaphysical, or pick-your-variety kind.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
16 June 2026
-
Rationality lurks in theology from the beginning, just as philosophy never shakes off its yearning for the metaphysical.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Don't miss the renowned impressionist collection with paintings by Monet and van Gogh.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace appears like a post-impressionist vision, its beige crown backdropped by the freckled green of the Maniyagarh hills.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
