Synonym Chooser

How does the noun conception contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of conception are concept, 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)," 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 can concept be used instead of conception?

Although the words concept and conception have much in common, 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

When might idea be a better fit than conception?

The meanings of idea and conception largely overlap; however, 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 is impression a more appropriate choice than conception?

While the synonyms impression and conception are close in meaning, 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 conception?

The words notion and conception 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 is it sensible to use thought instead of conception?

The synonyms thought and conception are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 conception The findings were especially true in the perinatal period, which spans from conception to two years postpartum. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 June 2025 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 Their findings suggest that the ability to simply feel pain—the sensory-discriminative network—begins to resemble adult levels of connectivity between 34 and 36 weeks after conception, but the emotional and interpretive responses lag behind. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for conception
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conception
Noun
  • The modern concept of a franchise has been around since the mid 1850s, with the first franchisor believed to have been Isaac Singer, the founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company and the inventor of the sewing machine.
    Fiona Simpson, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Some of them, in seats that are too blue to become GOP targets, are comfortable defending the concept that people who raise families and pay taxes in a city deserve some say in who runs their local government.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • This idea reflects Glass’s approach to whisky making.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • If your idea of a good country getaway requires a stop by an antique mall, then add the Blue Moon Antique Mall and Bookstore to your list.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • With an emphasis on education, wellness, and cultural storytelling, the stage challenges stereotypes about African-American cuisine and reimagines its role in the global food and wine industry.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 30 June 2025
  • Often, people that indulge in this type of culture are considered anti-social or withdrawn, a stereotype that has been passed around for years.
    Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Another concerning aspect of AI's influence on our freedom of thought is its capacity to distort memory and perception.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Please detail any thoughts and feelings at this point.
    Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The 10-round cruiserweight affair ended in Paul’s sixth consecutive victory but did little to quell the notion that the YouTuber-turned-boxer is building his in-ring reputation with a fraudulent resume built on defeating big names many years removed from their heydays.
    Mark Puleo, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • The overall operations swiftly moved from the notion of targeting dangerous criminal immigrants to everyday workers and laborers — who may or may not have proper documentation — trying to make a living, and overriding local officials along the way.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • After joining the Bulls from the San Antonio Spurs in February in the three-team trade-deadline deal that sent Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings, Jones quickly made a strong impression on the coaching staff and front office.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
  • Yet, there’s a general mishmash impression, sort of like digging through Nana’s attic.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • During May 15 oral arguments, none of the justices voiced support for the Trump administration’s theory that the president’s order is consistent with the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause and past Supreme Court decisions about that provision.
    Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • Under unitary executive theory, there are few exceptions to the president’s authority.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conception.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conception. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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