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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abstraction
When the news breaks of faraway civilian casualties — an erroneous air strike on a school that relied on outdated intelligence, for example — the mind takes refuge in abstractions and statistics.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
The war felt far away then—an abstraction to analyze—its consequences filtered through spreadsheets and financial models.
—Pandu Sjahrir, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
But either ironically or all too appropriately for a show that so prominently features therapists, The Audacity seems to have psychoanalyzed its characters to the point of abstraction.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
The dilemma, in the hands of these novelists, is not only an abstraction but a central element of the plot and structure of their books.
—Aaron Matz, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstraction
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
The war felt far away then—an abstraction to analyze—its consequences filtered through spreadsheets and financial models.
—Pandu Sjahrir, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
But either ironically or all too appropriately for a show that so prominently features therapists, The Audacity seems to have psychoanalyzed its characters to the point of abstraction.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
The dilemma, in the hands of these novelists, is not only an abstraction but a central element of the plot and structure of their books.
—Aaron Matz, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abstraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstraction
Noun
-
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 9th House of Higher Learning and Beliefs, opening your mind to new perspectives, ideas, and possibilities.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Sneaky Jon Cooper The Bolts showed their normal forward lines in pregame warmups, but then had other ideas once the puck dropped Friday night.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Braves are methodical offensively, utilizing their downs to get to certain parts of the field and running different concepts to open spaces.—
PJ Green
April 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
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Fans of shows or movies where characters break out of prison will have a chance to try it themselves at a new interactive escape room concept opening in Grapevine this fall.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Thriller’s conception is rendered as excitingly—if hokily—as anyone could ask for.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
-
When Vacheron Constantin launched the Overseas collection three decades ago, the models embodied the more than 270-year-old maison’s conception of an elegant traveling chronograph — rooted in the spirit of exploration and openness to the world.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Mfume’s time representing us in Congress has been a testament to the notion of focusing on real public policy over grandstanding politics.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
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Additionally, the Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh attracted attention in the United States not only with his opposition to the Vietnam War but also with his notion of Engaged Buddhism, which emphasizes improving human life through political activism and everyday acts of mindfulness.—
Charles Preston,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mercury in your 12th House of Reflection brings up thoughts that need processing before being shared.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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Want to stay up to date on IndieWire’s film reviews and critical thoughts?—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sadiq ended up going 16th to the New York Jets, but my impression is the Panthers would have taken Freeling over him anyway.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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After all, your garage door is one of your home's opportunities to make a first impression.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abstraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstraction. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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