abstracted

adjective

ab·​stract·​ed ab-ˈstrak-təd How to pronounce abstracted (audio)
ˈab-ˌstrak-
1
: withdrawn in mind : inattentive to one's surroundings
said hello but seemed abstracted
2
: abstract sense 4
abstracted geometric shapes
abstractedly adverb
abstractedness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for abstracted

abstracted, preoccupied, absent, absent-minded, distracted 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

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

absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

absent-minded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absent-minded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

Examples of abstracted in a Sentence

She said hello but she seemed a bit abstracted. the man on the train seemed somewhat abstracted, and he did indeed forget to get off at his stop
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 But another reason might be a latent hunger for rock that’s abstracted, collaborative, and sensation-first. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2024 The filmmaker, however, opts for a more abstracted view, mostly keeping character backgrounds opaque to focus on here-and-now visual oddity. Ben Croll, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abstracted 

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of abstract entry 3

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abstracted was in 1643

Dictionary Entries Near abstracted

Cite this Entry

“Abstracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abstracted. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

abstracted

adjective
ab·​stract·​ed ab-ˈstrak-təd How to pronounce abstracted (audio)
ˈab-ˌstrak-
abstractedly adverb
abstractedness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on abstracted

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