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

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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 Billy’s main creative outlet in her years of solitude has been visual art, and her work—abstractions dominated by the geometric forms of Little Death’s air-vent face—seems like a closed circuit of self-therapy. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 31 July 2026 Corsini and Massimo Vavassori’s script is needlessly cryptic at times, leaving the central figure too much of an abstraction. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 30 July 2026 Yet American students and scholars flocked in droves to theory, perceiving in its recondite abstractions a thrilling new way of understanding the world—even, some believed, of changing it. — Emily Eakin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 The exhibition explores how American abstraction became one of the nation’s most influential contributions to art history. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 23 July 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
  • About 80 per cent of City’s existing first-team squad went on the pre-season tour to Hong Kong and South Korea, meaning Maresca has been able to get his ideas across to most of the players.
    — Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Aries March 21 – April 19 Your bright idea needs an audience and a little editing.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of idea
Noun
  • The first concept art for the film was revealed during the Disney Entertainment Showcase presentation at the D23 fan event Friday, along with some new plot details.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Owners Jordan Smelt and Katie Barringer have carried over the same love for wine and books into their second concept.
    — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of concept
Noun
  • At another point on the pop spectrum, artists are toying with the conception of rock music in the popular imagination.
    — Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
  • For well over a century now, families have sported rows of rictus grins for the camera, but the subgenre of family portraiture (and, later, video clips) dedicated to conception, gestation, and birth is very much a product of the social media age.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of conception
Noun
  • Paul Schmidt, a Covington & Burling trial attorney representing Meta, contested O'Neill's arguments, and disputed the notion that Meta executives misled the public with their statements about child safety.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Ogunyemi rejects the notion that encouragement is merely a soft leadership practice that can’t be connected to measurable business outcomes.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of notion
Noun
  • A lot of thought goes into each episode, but so much of what ends up happening is very guerrilla-style.
    — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Although Swift has yet to speak about their wedding, Kelce has already shared his thoughts, breaking his silence at a press conference.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of thought
Noun
  • While this may have been KiiiKiii’s first time in North America, their music has left a lasting impression on listeners.
    — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, fans have only seen short clips of Mourinho’s impressions via the club’s in-house media channels.
    — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 19 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on abstraction

Nglish: Translation of abstraction for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abstraction

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