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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Recent Examples of abstraction
Speaking to Basso feels a bit like being a cast member on that show: His certitude buoys the conversation even as twists and abstractions come into play.
—
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 21 Jan. 2025
Rather than reducing ethical issues to abstraction, stories remind us that moral choices are made within particular circumstances and relationships.
—James Calvin Davis, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
Major publishers and small presses are reissuing novels long out of print, exhuming unpublished manuscripts from celebrated writers, and championing unpopular works dismissed for their abstraction or difficulty.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025
Melding traditional Mexican architecture and vivid hues with Modernist geometric abstraction and pure architectural volumes, the estate was built in the late 1960s as a private residence and equestrian facility set on 6.7 acres.
—News Desk, Artforum, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstraction
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 21 Jan. 2025
Rather than reducing ethical issues to abstraction, stories remind us that moral choices are made within particular circumstances and relationships.
—James Calvin Davis, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
Major publishers and small presses are reissuing novels long out of print, exhuming unpublished manuscripts from celebrated writers, and championing unpopular works dismissed for their abstraction or difficulty.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025
Melding traditional Mexican architecture and vivid hues with Modernist geometric abstraction and pure architectural volumes, the estate was built in the late 1960s as a private residence and equestrian facility set on 6.7 acres.
—News Desk, Artforum, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abstraction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstraction
Noun
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The first myth is that innovation hinges on a single monumental idea.—
Mark Nevins,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
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The basic idea goes back to the 1960s, when Disney started pumping smells into its theme parks, even patenting its own odor-making machine, the Smellitzer.—
Susan Campos,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The concept of personalized treatment plans for pets mirrors a trend in the human medical field, where topics like personalized wellness and healthy aging are increasingly popular.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2025
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Following in this line of thought, the current state of the culture wars is evidently a reaction to hegemony that progressive concepts achieved, particularly in the immediately preceding period.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Space Launch System rocket cost taxpayers $23.8 billion since its conception in 2011, according to data from The Planetary Society.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2025
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Rogen says the idea to make the episode itself a oner became a funny meta joke-on-the-joke during the installment’s conception.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Thomas’ favorite parts about leading tours are meeting different kinds of people and watching anyone with a negative or preconceived notion about certain parts of Chicago change their opinion over the course of a tour.—
Shanzeh Ahmad,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2025
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One of these absolutes is that idea that having walkable cities or towns means no cars, fewer cars, extra taxes or tolls on cars—basically any notion that feels like a punishment to car drivers.—
Megha Satyanarayana,
Scientific American,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This method eliminates reactive emotions, allows for clearer self-expression and encourages both partners to process their thoughts and feelings before responding.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
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The most widely used are: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This form of talk therapy involves identifying the thought processes that trigger your anger and then implementing methods to notice those thoughts and manage your anger.—
Wendy Wisner,
Health,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
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My impression of bath mats, from years of owning ones that end up getting soggy on contact, was that there was little to nothing to do about mildew, puddles of water, and discoloration.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
27 Mar. 2025
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Caroline and Laina took first impressions to a whole new level, arriving in full lawyer attire.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abstraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstraction. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
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