ABSTRACT Synonyms: 191 Similar and Opposite Words

abstract 1 of 3

adjective

ab-ˈstrakt

Definition of abstract

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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

abstract

2 of 3

noun

ˈab-ˌstrakt

as in summary

a short statement of the main points the scientist wrote a bare-bones abstract of his research and conclusions

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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

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abstract

3 of 3

verb

ab-ˈstrakt

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

Plush carpeting, touches of turquoise in a largely eggshell-forward palette, tasteful landscape paintings that border on abstract, and spacious private balconies make up the subtle suite design, allaying any worries of dowdy beach resort decor. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026 As an abstract image of an egg appeared on screen, performers began walking toward the front of the theater in a transfixed, cult-like fashion. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Noun

With that, designers are creating unexpected pairings, such as marrying it to a graphic abstract, adding a splash of leopard, or even swathing an entire space in a single ivy-forward pattern. — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2026 The company invests heavily in identifying candidates whose skills, work style, and professional outlook align with the specific client they’re being hired for, not just the role in the abstract. — William Jones, USA Today, 18 June 2026

Verb

The woodcut birth figures contained in these books were not images drawn from observation—pregnant cadavers for anatomical drawing were hard to come by—but were instead abstracted diagrams of the chaotic diversity of laboring bodies. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 Beginning in the eighteen-nineties, Karl Blossfeldt took closeups of plants abstracted from their environments, making visible the art of their natural curlicues and reticulations. — Max Norman, New Yorker, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for abstract

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstract

Adjective

The measurements showed relatively strong emission from the single crystal, consistent with theoretical predictions.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
Planning for a theoretical catastrophe can lead clients in unexpected directions.

— Megan Buerger, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of theoretical

Adjective

Inevitably, much of that knowledge was still undigested and poorly sorted; as a result the planet, viewed from Europe, must have seemed a rather impressionistic and formless place.

— Ian Tattersall, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026
As Pattinson spends a long night trying to rescue his brother, the Safdies weave a nightmarish, impressionistic vision of New York that ranks among the most unsettling cinematic depictions of the city.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of impressionistic

Noun

In an interview with The Charlotte Observer, Hatch said the current report provides a high-level summary but could include more detail about specific recommendations and what changes should follow.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026
His reference to the actual lei that attendees leave with does require some setup, so now’s as good a time as any to attempt a plot summary.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of summary

Noun

Turns out, Shakespeare didn’t have to decide, because the story works equally well whether the reader believes the figure is ectoplasm in the castle courtyard or is a psychological manifestation of Hamlet’s nagging conscience.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
The demonstrations became a more widespread manifestation of anger and anxiety about education, employment, and general livelihood issues.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of manifestation

Verb

For accountants, attorneys, consultants and other professionals, AI can accelerate research, summarize complex information and assist with writing and other forms of communication.

— Kaitlin Newkirk, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
But a new wave of executives are letting AI do the reading for them, using it to summarize reports, draft emails, and, in some cases, speak on their behalf.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of summarize

Adjective

The best moments on records like Redemption, Blackheart, and Second Line use her knack for grand, metaphysical metaphors to charge her singing with epic stakes.

— Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Our work re-imagines these ancient tombs as theatrical spaces, built to perpetuate a form of metaphysical human experience.

— Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of metaphysical

Adjective

Two paintings by impressionist master Pierre-Auguste Renoir, stolen from a museum in southern France and later discovered hidden behind a wall, have sustained slight damage, prosecutors said on Monday.

— CBS News, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026
In 2013, Kardashian’s then-husband Kanye West gifted her a Hermès Birkin bag for Christmas that featured an impressionist painting of nudes by artist George Condo.

— Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of impressionist

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abstinent

abstract

abstracted

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Style

“Abstract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstract. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of abstract

adjective

noun

verb

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