as in implications
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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Recent Examples of connotations
Those not chronically online might instinctively recoil at the term brain rot, with its vaguely gory connotations, especially as concern about the potential harms of social media for adolescents mounts.
—
Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Words have deep meaning and kaleidoscopic connotations.
—Jess Collen, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
If the otherwise silly story of Vance’s vacation has a serious side, then his choice of destination has curious symbolic connotations, too.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
Exercise should invoke positive connotations, not negative ones.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
In the context of US cultural history, however, watermelon carries different connotations—racist ones.
—Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Vanity, a word often imbued with negative connotations, was the opening topic of discussion at Miu Miu’s Tales & Tellers program during Art Basel Paris.
—Carita Rizzo, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024
The word Honey was picked for its affectionate connotations and there was a slight nod to it with jars of M&S honey at the breakfast table.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 15 Oct. 2024
Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025
Words have deep meaning and kaleidoscopic connotations.
—Jess Collen, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
If the otherwise silly story of Vance’s vacation has a serious side, then his choice of destination has curious symbolic connotations, too.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
Exercise should invoke positive connotations, not negative ones.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
In the context of US cultural history, however, watermelon carries different connotations—racist ones.
—Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024
Vanity, a word often imbued with negative connotations, was the opening topic of discussion at Miu Miu’s Tales & Tellers program during Art Basel Paris.
—Carita Rizzo, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024
The word Honey was picked for its affectionate connotations and there was a slight nod to it with jars of M&S honey at the breakfast table.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 15 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for connotations
Noun
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Similarly, business strategists and accountants work together on the financial and risk implications of organizational transformations such as IPOs, and other growth strategies.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
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The transition to non-human users of payment systems has interesting implications on business models.—
David G.W. Birch,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Bella meaning beautiful and Luna translating to moon, which could relate to their popularity given their bilingual meanings.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The team consults the Urban Dictionary for meanings of less common terms and reviews an internal document of objectionable configurations.—
Angele Latham,
The Tennessean,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But the fourth, a par three, awakens the senses with sweeping sea views, the smell of salt air, and the promise of what’s to come.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Games are fast-paced, with nonstop activity bombarding the senses and showmanship emphasized as much as — or more than — athleticism.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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On Saturday night, after the audience of the Royal Alexandra Theatre roared in a standing ovation for Fraser and his director, Hikari (Beef, 37 Seconds), the star became visibly choked up talking about the themes of Rental Family.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
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Also, different areas often had a multi period perspective and themes were carried across courses to connect the dots.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The video was picked apart by people looking for some hints as to the shooter’s motivation or politics.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
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Swifties also took note of a few extremely subtle hints Swift made during her appearance on Travis and Jason Kelce’s New Heights podcast, indicating a Super Bowl performance could be in her future.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Time is read vertically, calendar indications horizontally, giving the dial a legible and recognizable face.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
9 Sep. 2025
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The Globe’s decision to stand by McCarthy is the latest in a series of indications that newsroom culture is shifting radically to match this backlash moment.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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However, several team sources confirmed that the bulk of the Sky’s internal communication has been focused on her criticism of teammates and suggestions of a lack of overall talent on the roster.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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The group goes through suggestions for the coming year.—
Charlotte Alter,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The 2025 guidance does offer clarification on definitions, which can be helpful.—
Christian Espinosa,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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With no universal benchmarks, investors must rely on a company’s own definitions of success.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Connotations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/connotations. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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