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
Poetic and idealistic, your ideas flow in creative, dream-like patterns, often more abstract than realistic. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025 In May and September of last year, Matthew shared some disturbing graphic poetry as well as strange abstract artwork on his Facebook profile. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
The journal Citizen Science: Theory and Practice is looking for abstracts for a Special Collection on citizen science in Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM). Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024 This genre embodies the essence of classic jazz, modernist blues, and funky hip-hop, infused with themes related to Black diaspora, with a magnetic reach that appealed to consumers of the abstract. Ime Ekpo, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
That space the evil one abstracted stood From his own evil, and for the time remained Stupidly good, of enmity disarmed. Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024 Even abstracting from the question of tariff avoidance, there is no denying the unsettling Mexican dependence on China trade. Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for abstract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract
Adjective
  • Instead, the film adopts an impressionistic approach by allowing O’Neill’s numerous alternative theories to emerge from the historical wreckage.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025
  • There’s no saying filmmakers can’t create impressionistic portraits of famous figures, but this one drifts away so lazily that there doesn’t seem to be anything particularly pertinent to Lincoln’s legacy or impact in its making.
    Will Leitch, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Agencies will still be allowed to offer documents and services in languages other than English, according to a White House summary of the order seen by The Wall Street Journal.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The military released only a summary of the report and military officials outlined its findings.
    MOHAMMAD JAHJOUH, WAFAA SHURAFA, NATALIE MELZER AND TIA GOLDENBERG THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Newgate Prison, situated in London’s city center, had long been the target of scrutiny as one of the most infamous manifestations of Victorian punitive ideology.
    Sarah C. Schaefer, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The gathering in Kragujevac is just one manifestation of the largest popular revolt in Serbia since the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević, in which students played a key role.
    Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Have we been distracted too much by all the verbal fireworks this season from CK, Phillip, and Seychelle to notice that Lete is an absolute assassin out there?
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Grave screamed for help, but security personnel were distracted by the game and not paying attention, the lawsuit said.
    Louis Casiano, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Comer summarized Denver’s 2017 policy — mentioned below — which prohibits local law enforcement and jail deputies from aiding in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
    Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Still, Trump is expected to use the opportunity to summarize his early second-term accomplishments.
    Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Innovation should be practical and actionable, not just theoretical.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The duo’s early work was more concerned with the theoretical underpinnings of architecture than the practice itself.
    Oscar Holland, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Mohan and adapting screenwriter Nikita Lalwani take the sturdy outline of the film’s predecessor and tweak little details to add a more potent punch.
    Courtney Howard, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
  • By December 2024, the outlines of Rwanda’s larger project were becoming clearer.
    Michela Wrong, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • What Makary decides to do will go a long way in determining the extent to which Kennedy is able to remake American health in his image.
    Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Aerial images captured by drones are loaded onto maps made with geographic information system (GIS) technology.
    Ryan Lanclos, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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