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 That French idiom about having long teeth — les dents longues — can have negative connotations about a person’s ambitious streak. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 June 2026 Pavers or concrete designed to mimic natural stone slabs visually break up the surface, staving off parking lot connotations. — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 21 May 2026 But globalist also has an antisemitic connotation. — Nathalie Japkowicz, The Conversation, 18 May 2026 Morrison’s emphasis is on simultaneous movement, on responsiveness, on transport, a word with both mystical and practical connotations. — Literary Hub, 11 May 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
  • While the Supreme Court ruling focused specifically on cases in West Virginia and Idaho, it is expected to have far-reaching implications for those additional 25 states — and possibly more if other states pursue similar legislation.
    — Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • But labor strife here is spilling off of the docks and into City Hall, with political implications for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, himself a former labor organizer who is expected to run for reelection in less than a year.
    — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of implication
Noun
  • Through Latin and early Christian usage, the word took on its modern sense of an evil supernatural spirit.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • The spiritual economy is not necessarily about outright faith, but rather ritual, emotion and a sense of agency.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • The differing inlay materials — such as mother of pearl, malachite and onyx — have been given different mystical meanings by social media users (helping with the wearer’s career, love life, friendships or finances, for example).
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • Explore philosophies that give you a better self-awareness and get you closer to the true meaning of your life.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 8 July 2026
Definition of meaning
Noun
  • Four years later, there’s not a hint of complacency or dejection in France.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 4 July 2026
  • An abundance of hints, clues and other helpful items await, not to mention a bonus Custom Wordle and plenty more.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of hint
Noun
  • There’s no indication berries are involved in current outbreaks.
    — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 10 July 2026
  • Although again, there is no indication that Oman is interested in this, much less actively discussing it.
    — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of indication
Noun
  • So the same buyer can meet an agent gateway sold as inference infrastructure, an authorization runtime, a developer platform, or a security-posture tool and the definitions do not yet align.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Recently, the Illinois Register proposed amending the administrative code to update the definitions of the various alcohol categories solely by their production process — not their alcohol content.
    — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of definition
Noun
  • That suggestion has been met with skepticism on Capitol Hill and abroad, with Syria’s foreign minister telling Lebanon’s president earlier this month that officials had ruled it out.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 8 July 2026
  • The same 27,048-person study found that where leaders always recognize suggestions, employees are about 12 times more likely to recommend the company as a great place to work, and where good suggestions always lead to change, 18 times.
    — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of suggestion
Noun
  • Defense attorneys unsuccessfully fought the public release of the statements from Twiggs and the chat room messages.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • The message from Stenberg that preceded Adeyemi’s reply is not shown in full.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 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 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on connotation

Nglish: Translation of connotation for Spanish Speakers

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 fulcrum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
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
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All