Synonym Chooser

How does the noun concept contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of concept are conception, idea, impression, notion, and thought. While all these words mean "what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan)," concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

How do conception and concept relate to one another?

Conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

When is it sensible to use idea instead of concept?

The synonyms idea and concept are sometimes interchangeable, but idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas
my idea of paradise

When would impression be a good substitute for concept?

The words impression and concept are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

Where would notion be a reasonable alternative to concept?

The words notion and concept can be used in similar contexts, but notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

When could thought be used to replace concept?

The meanings of thought and concept largely overlap; however, thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

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 concept Still, youthful rebellion in virtual reality looks great and the concept of online escapes resonates in an increasingly intense real world. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 June 2025 Within this exact conflict is where Antigravity Academy finds the concept of camp so important. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 20 June 2025 The book’s title is, of course, inspired by the goats that supply the milk that powers Beekman 1802’s microbiome-supporting products, and the overall concept of building a great, sustainable business. Emily Burns, Footwear News, 9 June 2025 The Philadelphia location opens in the next few weeks after a successful pop-up of the concept last summer. Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for concept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concept
Noun
  • This Money Mistake Keeps You Stuck One of the most popular misconceptions being debunked right now is the notion that working harder or for longer hours equates to making more money.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • At the heart of the team’s strategy is a notion called integer partitions.
    Rachel Crowell, Scientific American, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Nearly half of these offenders exhibited evidence of fixation – an intense or obsessive preoccupation with an individual, activity, or idea.
    Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 16 June 2025
  • Interacting with experienced individuals, solving non-artistic problems and engaging in varied tasks exposes you to new ideas, perspectives and life experiences that subtly inform and enrich your art.
    Kice Akkawi, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Such links were particularly pronounced when exposure occurred during the month before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy, researchers reported in the study, published in Environmental Science & Technology.
    Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 23 June 2025
  • So Far The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time A sequel, 28 Weeks Later…, dropped in 2007; Boyle and Garland signed on executive producers, but neither were directly involved with the conception of it beyond that.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • Hernandez admits Medicaid cuts could give people here second thoughts.
    John Daley, NPR, 22 June 2025
  • Jones has also talked extensively about struggling with suicidal thoughts and depression.
    Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • Roberts also dismissed the plaintiffs’ concerns that Tennessee is forcing children to live within gender stereotypes.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 19 June 2025
  • Currently, toxic masculinity and the patriarchy are on the rise in our sociopolitical environment, and our culture is promoting oppressive gender roles and racial stereotypes and seeking to control the expression of sexuality.
    Colleen Bidwill, Mercury News, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • His powerful late kick and ability to handle the 1 1/4-mile distance in that race left a lasting impression.
    Jared Welch, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
  • The 77-year-old takes us through the songs, albums, and genres that left the biggest impression.
    Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Years earlier, Leonardo had performed his own study of proportions, based on the theories of the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius.
    Steven Strogatz, New York Times, 16 June 2025
  • The Distributed Responsibility Challenge These divergent approaches reflect different theories of technological governance.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Concept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concept. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on concept

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