1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

connotation

noun

Definition of connotationnext
as in implication
an idea or quality that is suggested by a word or thing a word with positive connotations The word "childlike" has connotations of innocence.

Related Words

Relevance

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 connotation But Canada is just far enough away to be a legitimate escape, while also carrying a host of related connotations. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026 Gurel writes that the associations with hippies, dieting, and dessert-like snacks all gave yogurt a feminine connotation. — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 11 Aug. 2026 The designation carries a distinct, often personal connotation. — Klara Auerbach, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2026 Now legalized in numerous states, cannabis has seen its entire pop-culture connotation change in a relatively short period of time. — William Jones, USA Today, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for connotation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for connotation
  1. implication
  2. sense
  3. meaning
  4. hint
  5. indication
  6. definition
  7. suggestion
  8. message
Noun
  • The trial is being closely watched for its implications for other fatal high-speed crashes that don't involve drugs or alcohol.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • That would mark a decisive break from the generally low and comparatively stable inflation environment that followed the global financial crisis — heralding wide-ranging implications for investors' portfolios.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of implication
Noun
  • Bieber and Gausman are the two names on this list that make the most sense to bring back.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Karrahboooo’s flow, kind of like Veeze or Lucki, manages to feel both laid back and conversational and deeply and intricately rhythmic, an almost enchanting combination made more potent by Karrahbooo’s almost dance-leaning sense of melody.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • Users do not require the illusion of humanity to invest meaning into an interaction.
    — Terry Oroszi, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Love of Your Life settles awkwardly into an empty film with beautiful images devoid of meaning.
    — Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of meaning
Noun
  • But the Italianate fountains at the entrance is your first hint that a resort wonderland awaits.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
  • While there is no water vapor, JWST has picked up hints of solid particles of crystalline water-ice.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of hint
Noun
  • As consumers use emerging tools like AI to explore different looks and try on silhouettes, this data is an early indication of the looks capturing consumers’ attention throughout the year.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Igoe said there was no indication the suspect was armed but noted that a vehicle could be used as a deadly weapon.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of indication
Noun
  • For the governor, comptroller and legislators, again, what is your definition of investing?
    — Sheila Weinberg, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2026
  • For even bouncier curl definition, our editors love pairing the shampoo with the Curl Charisma Rice Amino & Shea Curl Defining Conditioner.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of definition
Noun
  • Zidar and Zwick have some suggestions for how to change this.
    — John Lanchester, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Many suggestions have circulated about who could be the next 007 agent in the James Bond film franchise, and Pierce Brosnan has a new take on where the studio could go.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of suggestion
Noun
  • The organization will help traditionally Democratic groups like labor and civil society craft AI policy messages, Bores said.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • An odd message for programs built for communication, used widely in writing and publishing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of message

Browse Nearby Words

connoisseurs
connotation
connotations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Connotation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/connotation. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on connotation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about connotation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of volition

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All