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 The idea for the film dates back a dozen or so years, when screenwriter Robert Kaplow originally brought the concept to Linklater. Kyle McGovern, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 Luke Combs and Opry Entertainment Group are expanding their Category 10 restaurant, bar and event venue concept from Nashville's Lower Broadway to the Las Vegas strip. Melonee Hurt, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Oct. 2025 Various companies showed concepts for spectacular and futuristic train cars, but Brightline was the center of attention. Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025 In the sixties, a California law supported by the state’s fire agency advanced the foundational concept of defensible space, a zone of up to a hundred feet where fuels such as brush and trees are strategically trimmed back and managed. Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for concept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concept
Noun
  • That's such a crazy, perverse notion — on this triumphant night, to see it from the point of view of the guy being left behind in all this.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Protesters have slammed the notions and multiple attendees wore inflatable frog and animal costumes to point to the absurdity of the claims of danger.
    Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Bank of America reiterates Nvidia and Broadcom as buy Bank of America says the stocks remain favorite ideas at the firm.
    Michael Bloom, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
  • It’s not presented as an idea because of how we were raised.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Those principles felt like the right direction for the conception of Aatman.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Appropriate to the popular conception of the morose genius, Poe’s initial 1849 funeral, held amidst the October gloom, was sparsely attended.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • To put a cap on preseason and training camp and to prepare for what’s ahead, here are my predictions and thoughts on how the Knicks will handle their depth chart and rotation heading into the season.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • As the players performed snow angels in the confetti on the Levi’s Stadium field, the prevailing thought was there would never be another Von or a Denver D like this.
    Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • During her June conversation withT Magazine, Copeland remarked on the prejudiced stereotypes that once kept Black dancers off of the most prestigious stages in the world.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The music video attracted significant attention both for its humorous visuals—superimposing the artists’ faces onto babies' bodies—and for its content, which challenges stereotypes about older artists in hip-hop.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Of his first impressions of his future wife, Plemons had nothing but praise.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Mindy Clifton made an impression on Sabrina Hawkins when the two met years ago as correction officers in Volusia County, Florida.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The connection between the two cases lies in his approach and the use of controversial theories involving rituals and hidden motivations, which drew significant criticism of his conduct as a prosecutor.
    Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Another theory is that very heavy rainfall after serious drought violently sloshed the waters of Lake Nyos.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Concept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concept. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on concept

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