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.

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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 The way words are perceived can change too, with connotations morphing from negative to positive. — Kirk McClure, Fortune, 14 July 2026 The Benefits of Downsizing Your Home and Belongings Downsizing doesn’t have to carry a negative connotation. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 7 July 2026 Just keep in mind that upside-down pineapples have certain connotations (IYKYK). — Rebecca Norris, InStyle, 5 July 2026 Richmond Richmond may not have the immediate colonial connotations of some of the other cities in Virginia, but one of the most significant speeches of the Revolutionary era happened right in downtown Richmond. — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 1 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
  • Kamil Krzaczynski | Reuters The rise of these tech-heavy vehicles poses implications for the entire automotive world.
    — Robert Ferris, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
  • According to the motion, the documentary does not reasonably convey the defamatory implications Banks alleges or suggest that the filmmakers intended to convey them.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of implication
Noun
  • The Voyager starts to make more sense when the bike also needs to handle groceries, school gear, or part of the morning drop-off routine.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For communities facing population loss, an aging workforce, or struggling to retain young professionals and skilled workers, attracting new residents can make economic sense.
    — Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • Instructors say in these classes, these new drivers will go over depth perception, the rules of the road, sign meanings, speed limits, what happens when you get pulled over, emergency situations, and how to be a good defensive driver.
    — Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But that would be hollow without the sense that the characters’ emotions, and therefore our emotions, are real—that the story, though it might have been born from metaphor, has literal, intrinsic meaning.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of meaning
Noun
  • Astronomers observing Betelgeuse in 2024 found hints of a second star, and now a paper published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics strongly supports its existence.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The team also found hints that oxygen was present in the brine, and even a bit of genetic evidence to suggest that underground microbes might be capable of using it.
    — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of hint
Noun
  • Although Ukraine first warned that North Korean troops were using attack drones on their territory last October, this is the first indication the new wave of troops will have this capability.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Starship rocket’s Pez satellite dispenser, optimized for Starlink, is an indication of the company’s priorities.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of indication
Noun
  • The increase is attributed partly to greater awareness and screening, a more expansive definition of the disorder, and parents having children at a later age, various studies show.
    — Amanda Seitz, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The definition of 'qualified' must evolve to address current realities, moving beyond static credentials to foster leaders truly prepared for today's complex challenges.
    — Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of definition
Noun
  • Sheinbaum rejected suggestions that the visa cancellation itself was evidence of criminal conduct.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For example, there's Proactive Assistance, allowing Gemini to surface personalized suggestions in chats.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of suggestion
Noun
  • Ethel Caterham, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living person, shared a message with ABC News to mark her birthday.
    — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Later, the Moon opposes Uranus in your 3rd House of Communication, so messages, errands, siblings, neighbors, or local logistics may shift quickly.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of message

Browse Nearby Words

connoisseurs
connotation
connotations
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Cite this Entry

“Connotation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/connotation. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on connotation

Nglish: Translation of connotation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about connotation

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