Synonyms of abstract

abstract 1 of 3

adjective

ab-ˈstrakt 

1

as in theoretical

dealing with or expressing a quality or idea

the book deals with abstract matters such as honesty and integrity on the job as well as practical subjects such as asking for a raise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• theoretical
• metaphysical
• conceptual
• speculative
• mental
• intellectual
• ideal
• spiritual
• hypothetical
• notional
• invisible
• ideational
• transcendental
• cosmic
• conjectural
• intangible
• immaterial
• ethereal
• romantic
• utopian
• impractical
• transcendent
• imperceptible
• incorporeal
• nonphysical
• unreal
• insubstantial
• nonmaterial
• visionary
• unsubstantial
• impalpable
• insensible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• concrete
• physical
• tangible
• substantial
• visible
• material
• observable
• discernible
• actual
• perceptible
• appreciable
• definite
• sensible
• distinct
• detectable
• noticeable
• nonabstract
• real
• defined
• palpable
• factual

2

as in impressionistic

using elements of form (as color, line, or texture) with little or no attempt at creating a realistic picture

Cubism is a style of abstract art in which natural forms are broken up into geometric shapes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impressionistic
• impressionist
• nonrepresentational
• nonobjective
• nonfigurative
• nonrealistic
• expressionistic
• expressionist
• symbolistic
• symbolist

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• representational
• realistic
• objective
• naturalistic
• figurative
• natural
• nonabstract
• lifelike

abstract

2 of 3

noun

ˈab-ˌstrakt 

1

as in summary

a short statement of the main points

the scientist wrote a bare-bones abstract of his research and conclusions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• summary
• outline
• summa
• brief
• synopsis
• précis
• encapsulation
• résumé
• recapitulation
• summing-up
• summarization
• conspectus
• sum-up
• digest
• inventory
• sum
• rundown
• recap
• run-through
• roundup
• capsule
• compendium
• epitome
• breviary
• abbreviation
• wrap-up
• simplification
• abridgment
• condensation
• compend
• curtailment
• shortening
• streamlining
• rehash
• reprise
• epilogue
• conclusion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expansion
• enlargement
• amplification
• supplement
• addendum

2

as in manifestation

a visible representation of something abstract (as a quality)

a recent college valedictorian who's been hailed as the very abstract of what's right with today's young people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• manifestation
• image
• incarnation
• avatar
• icon
• essence
• personification
• incorporation
• instantiation
• objectification
• externalization
• model
• embodiment
• realization
• genius
• personifier
• concretization
• epitome
• personalization
• exemplification
• embodier
• actualization
• substantiation
• paradigm
• soul
• pattern
• reincarnation
• archetype
• quintessence
• exemplar

abstract

3 of 3

verb

ab-ˈstrakt 

1

as in to distract

to draw the attention or mind to something else

personal problems abstracted him so persistently that he struggled to keep his mind on his work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• distract
• divert
• throw off
• detract
• call off
• amuse
• entertain
• stray
• wander
• beguile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• focus
• concentrate

2

as in to summarize

to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)

took the 135-page report and abstracted it in three short paragraphs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• summarize
• outline
• encapsulate
• digest
• brief
• recapitulate
• boil down
• sum up
• recap
• synopsize
• epitomize
• reprise
• wrap up
• consolidate
• condense
• cut back
• shorten
• abridge
• curtail
• simplify
• shrink
• concentrate
• essentialize
• downsize
• streamline
• decoct

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extend
• elongate
• prolong
• lengthen
• supplement
• elaborate (on or upon)
• expand
• enlarge (on or upon)
• amplify
• protract

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abstract

Adjective

That abstract art installation is both a nod to the building’s former function—the historic home of the Portland Press Herald (Maine’s newspaper of record)—and to its urbane, artful spirit rooted in the local community. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Sep. 2026

One best practice is to pair them with an AI-fluent colleague on real work rather than giving them to abstract training. — Stephen Snyder, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Noun

With that, designers are creating unexpected pairings, such as marrying it to a graphic abstract, adding a splash of leopard, or even swathing an entire space in a single ivy-forward pattern. — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2026

The company invests heavily in identifying candidates whose skills, work style, and professional outlook align with the specific client they’re being hired for, not just the role in the abstract. — William Jones, USA Today, 18 June 2026

Verb

The woodcut birth figures contained in these books were not images drawn from observation—pregnant cadavers for anatomical drawing were hard to come by—but were instead abstracted diagrams of the chaotic diversity of laboring bodies. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

Beginning in the eighteen-nineties, Karl Blossfeldt took closeups of plants abstracted from their environments, making visible the art of their natural curlicues and reticulations. — Max Norman, New Yorker, 21 May 2026