abstraction

noun

ab-ˈstrak-shən How to pronounce abstraction (audio)
Definition of abstractionnext
as in idea
something imagined or pictured in the mind to a people who have lived under one dictatorship after another, democracy and freedom are mere abstractions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 abstraction The push toward abstraction in mid-century American art coincided with a surge of interest in existentialism, which had begun to displace the pragmatism that underlay Avery’s approach. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 Among the artistic practices highlighted will be those that center physical science, astronomy, geology, spirituality, mythology, and abstraction. — News Desk, Artforum, 25 Aug. 2026 Certain practical and loving people viewed abstractions as attempts to escape, and thus a way of failing at what was essential in life. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026 Her portraits, including those shown at White Columns and Nicola Vassell Gallery in New York, live in the slippery space between figuration and abstraction. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abstraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstraction
  1. idea
  2. concept
  3. conception
  4. notion
  5. thought
  6. impression
Noun
  • These days, no one, including the coaches themselves, has any idea who is or is not eligible to be a college athlete.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
  • May 21 – June 20 A group idea can get moving once someone names the next step.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of idea
Noun
  • While the concept was conceived decades ago, a public demonstration of a system that does not rely on GPS signals or any other special installation infrastructure has not been achieved till now.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Fish Market is a seafood spot with a sea-to-table concept—guests can select their own seafood, which is then cooked with Maldivian flavors and ingredients.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of concept
Noun
  • The move would have been difficult to imagine under the traditional conception of college sports.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • From one vantage, Kardashian’s path to global superstardom was borne by a perfect storm of time, place, person, and opportunity—a convergence of the smartphone, social media, reality TV, and the changing conception of what constitutes a celebrity.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of conception
Noun
  • Goodell pushed back on the notion of organized collusion to keep Kaepernick out of the NFL.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Thus all notions of reference to precedent in the arts became contentious, if not disreputable.
    — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of notion
Noun
  • Here are our thoughts on the initial 53-man roster, with plenty of transactions still to come.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Apparently all that content wasn’t as lost as many thought, though.
    — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of thought
Noun
  • After testing multiple new hatchbacks, sedans, minivans, cargo vans, family SUVs and more, here are my top 10 best new vehicles of 2026 so far based on my driving impressions, rankings and overall value propositions.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Ben’s view Analysis of China is often so polarized that a casual observer might get the impression that Beijing is both an unstoppable force on the verge of global domination and a precarious dictatorship on the brink of collapse.
    — Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of impression

Browse Nearby Words

abstracting
abstraction
abstractions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abstraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstraction. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on abstraction

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abstraction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All