ABSTRACTION Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

abstraction

noun

ab-ˈstrak-shən

Definition of abstraction

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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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

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

None of these ideas were invented by Instagram or by women alone; the concept of the attention economy dates to the early 1970s, and the notion that no press is bad press has existed since the 19th century.

— Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
What’s most difficult about this is the notion it was never supposed to be this way.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of notion

Noun

Some singers need just one name to leave a lasting impression.

— Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
The lobby makes a bold first impression with double-height ceilings, pops of pink and green, statement-making couches, and the sounds of Cuban and Spanish music setting the tone.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of impression

Browse Nearby Words

abstracting

abstraction

abstractions

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“Abstraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstraction. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of abstraction

noun

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