abstractly
Not in concrete
Abstractly means in a way that deals with ideas or concepts rather than concrete particulars.
To think abstractly is to consider general principles apart from specific instances: She understood the math abstractly but struggled with word problems.
The word often contrasts with practically or concretely: Abstractly, the plan made sense, but implementing it proved difficult.
In assumed circumstances
- speculativelyIn a theorizing manner
- theoreticallyIn principle, not actuality
- notionallyIn theory only
- conceptuallyIn abstract terms
academically · hypothesize · postulate · speculate · conjecture · suppose · posit · assume
Unclear, ill-defined
- nebulousUnclear and formless
- impreciseLacking exactness or accuracy
- amorphousWithout distinct shape
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
elusive · indefinite · indistinct · nonphysical · insubstantial · immaterial · formless · shapeless
Drawing logical conclusions
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- cognitionMental knowledge acquisition
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- thoughtMental concept or reflection
understanding · comprehension · insight · inference · deduction · intellection · cerebral · analytically
Deriving principles from examples
- conceptualizeForm a mental picture
- ideationForming mental concepts
- notionImprecise mental impression
- schemaOrganized representational structure
framework · categorization · principles · taxonomy · archetype · prototype · paradigm · systematization
Philosophy of existence's nature
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- idealismBelief in noble principles
- phenomenologyStudy of subjective experience
existentialism · rationalism · empiricism · dualism · solipsism · transcendentalism · Platonism · essentialism
hypothetically
In assumed circumstances
- speculativelyIn a theorizing manner
- theoreticallyIn principle, not actuality
- notionallyIn theory only
conceptually · academically · hypothesize · postulate · speculate · conjecture · suppose · posit · assume · idealize
vague
Unclear, ill-defined
ethereal · elusive · indefinite · indistinct · nonphysical · insubstantial · immaterial · formless · shapeless · incorporeal
reasoning
Drawing logical conclusions
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- cognitionMental knowledge acquisition
- logicScience of valid reasoning
thought · understanding · comprehension · insight · inference · deduction · intellection · cerebral · analytically · rationally
generalization
Deriving principles from examples
- conceptualizeForm a mental picture
- ideationForming mental concepts
- notionImprecise mental impression
schema · framework · categorization · principles · taxonomy · archetype · prototype · paradigm · systematization · inference
metaphysics
Philosophy of existence's nature
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- idealismBelief in noble principles
phenomenology · existentialism · rationalism · empiricism · dualism · solipsism · transcendentalism · Platonism · essentialism · nominalism
- mental adverbsmentally, cognitively, consciously, unconsciously, subconsciously
- artistic adverbsartistically, stylistically, expressively, evocatively, poetically
- on paperblueprint, draft, outline, proposal, plan
- philosophy adverbslogically, rationally, ethically, morally, metaphysically
abstractlyconcretely
In a definite manner
specifically · tangibly · literally · materially · substantively
abstractlyactually
In truth, not supposedly
factually · really · in reality · in fact · realistically
abstractlypractically
Almost but not quite
pragmatically · concretely · applied · hands-on · in practice
- abstract reasoningThought using concepts alone
- abstract designPattern without recognizable imagery
- abstract artVisual work avoiding depiction
- abstract paintingArt avoiding realistic imagery
- abstract thinkingCognition beyond physical reality
- in the abstractAs idea, not reality
abstract, abstraction, abstracted, abstracts, abstracting, abstractness, abstractions