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Definition of abstractednext

abstracted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of abstract

Synonym Chooser

How is the word abstracted distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of abstracted are absentminded, absent, distracted, and preoccupied. While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

walking about with an abstracted air

In what contexts can absent take the place of abstracted?

Although the words absent and abstracted have much in common, absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

When can absentminded be used instead of abstracted?

In some situations, the words absentminded and abstracted are roughly equivalent. However, absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absentminded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

When would distracted be a good substitute for abstracted?

The words distracted and abstracted are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

When could preoccupied be used to replace abstracted?

While the synonyms preoccupied and abstracted are close in meaning, preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

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 abstracted
Adjective
Larry Aldrich, the museum’s founder, visited Diamond’s studio in 1972 and subsequently acquired Untitled (1972), one of her early abstracted landscapes, and put it in a group show—marking her first museum acquisition and exhibition. Grace Edquist, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024 The dialectic talk can feel a bit abstracted from politics, as can spotting Marx in every mention of equity. Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
For a digital computer, time is thin, unidimensional, and abstracted away from its thermodynamic arrow. Anil Seth, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025 The work instead appears to unfold in segments that are vaguely linear, with the plot of the Shakespeare play abstracted into moving tableaux. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abstracted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abstracted
Adjective
  • Staying small has also, historically, been linked to staying weak, preoccupied, and politically apathetic—all qualities that women in this country (or frankly, any country) cannot afford to be at this moment.
    Michelle Konstantinovsky, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
  • Even more preoccupied with toilet humor than its predecessor, Scary Movie 2 hauled in substantially less at the box office.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Over the years, California Highway Patrol officers have told Honk their priority is saving lives — so intoxicated and distracted drivers, speeders and those not wearing seat belts get top billing.
    Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Moreover, 14% of more than 1,000 respondents said at least one accident had occurred at their workplace because an employee was distracted by a smartphone—often resulting in injury or damage to property.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Wyle then summarized the plot of Baumbach's 14th film as a director, which sees Clooney's titular movie star struggle to repair his bond with his daughter, fractured by so many years of prioritizing himself instead.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information.
    Joel Feder, The Drive, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Sacramento police diverted traffic from N Street between Fifth and Sixth streets downtown as the march proceeded, Gamble said.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Hope Florida then diverted the money to political committees that spent most of it supporting the governor’s campaign against the recreational marijuana initiative that narrowly failed in 2024.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Speaking to Interesting Engineering, Fraimic team member Nathaniel Paffett-Lugassy outlined the core idea behind the product.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Skyler Lusnia, the Statewide Charter School Board’s director of school performance, had already outlined three major concerns and asked Epic officials to respond.
    Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Abstracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abstracted. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on abstracted

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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