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
These aren't abstract values—they're the building blocks of Anglo-American jurisprudence and the Western moral and legal tradition. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025 Grief is a very abstract thing. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
By the mid-20th century, abstracts had become ubiquitous in scholarly articles. Naomi S. Baron, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2025 But for the Heat, where the team stands when a Herro extension would kick in for 2027-28 remains an abstract. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 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
  • Those scenes serve to blend the past and present in a way that suits the film’s impressionistic style.
    Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
  • But that performance wouldn’t have its power without McIntire and Rubinstein’s impressionistic musical portraiture.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • That's the general summary of the argument insider Robert Murray of FanSided made on Monday, when suggesting that the slugger could ditch Philadelphia for one of his former clubs.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Both products can also provide summaries of text conversations in threads and channels.
    John Brandon, PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Allied together, the two vessels fight the physical manifestation of the Radiance.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • On the automotive front, that character arc can be represented by the transition from the baronial elegance of the Bentley S2 Continental to the manifestation of rebellion found in the muscle cars from Motor City.
    Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But one way to distract and soothe your temperamental toddler might be through music.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Molina, who is fascinated by silver screen legend Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez), distracts himself and Valentín with a recounting of his favorite film of hers — The Kiss of the Spider Woman.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Regional Task Force on Homelessness releases monthly data summarizing the number of individuals losing a place to stay for the first time.
    Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Now, even lighthearted comments can be captured, summarized and circulated.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And many additional ideas in theoretical physics seek to add in additional symmetries, additional dimensions, additional extra particles, or additional unification frameworks.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 9 Sep. 2025
  • If not, these elements of Musk’s project are likely to remain more theoretical, just as the dreams of last century’s techno-utopians did.
    Sonja Fritzsche, The Conversation, 9 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
  • For last weekend’s season-opening slate of games, several Texas college football teams sported ribbons of their own, in the form of a special decal on players’ helmets depicting an outline of the state of Texas with a green bow at its center.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Prairie Village’s rules mirror Leawood’s, with similar outlines to age requirements for class 3 e-bikes in particular, yielding and giving audible signals to pedestrians, following manufacturer recommendations and not allowing distracted or reckless operation of the device.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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