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
But when pressed to respond to CNN’s initial inquiry about the controversy over the post – and its far-right connotations – McLaughlin did not respond.
—
Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Is there symbolism in those in Chinese culture, similar to how in Western cultures, fish sometimes have religious connotations?
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
In early Christian thinking, its connotations of languor and listlessness, within the spirit no less than the body, lent it the status of a sin—a turning aside from God for the sake of earthly sorrow.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
The popularity of these names, especially in Galilee, a hotbed of revolt and messianic expectations, stemmed from their revolutionary connotations.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
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
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
Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Is there symbolism in those in Chinese culture, similar to how in Western cultures, fish sometimes have religious connotations?
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
In early Christian thinking, its connotations of languor and listlessness, within the spirit no less than the body, lent it the status of a sin—a turning aside from God for the sake of earthly sorrow.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
The popularity of these names, especially in Galilee, a hotbed of revolt and messianic expectations, stemmed from their revolutionary connotations.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for connotations
Noun
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The $400 million gift drew bipartisan criticism for its ethical and national security implications.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
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And this game figures to have implications on the Atlantic Coast Conference championship race.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the end, 65 languages were tested, three native speakers for each, to ensure no unintended meanings slipped through.—
Anthony Shore,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Sometimes, Death in the Family seems to be saying that our attempt to assign deeper meanings to acts of violence obfuscates how mean or petty human nature can be.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the book, the protagonist Jonathan Harker nicks himself with a razor and senses Dracula’s rapt attention.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
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This brain region is known to be active when recalling memories that contain detail from various senses.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And next year, the party gets even bigger with new themes every season of the event.—
Megan duBois,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
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Early in the year, the department-run Foreign Service Institute eliminated over 1,200 courses with DEI and other diversity themes.—
Paul du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Ray Palmer is a lot of Brandon, some hints of Clark for sure.—
Charles Infosino,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Oct. 2025
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The scene illuminates the story’s preoccupation not with the post-#MeToo world but with performance, hints of which can be found throughout the film.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Beyond that, indications are that Ross’ family is receptive to owning and running the team at some point.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
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The steelmaker has two sites in Michigan and Minnesota where geological surveys have found indications of rare earths, Goncalves said in a statement on Cleveland-Cliffs’ third-quarter earnings.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Atienza took the post down and withdrew from social media for a time but hit back in subsequent posts at suggestions that her family’s wealth derived from its political connections on her father’s side.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
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Any of Morocco’s front three could have featured here; all credible suggestions for player of the tournament.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These definitions are imperfect for many reasons.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
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With this show, Stallings might also convince viewers that beauty not only transcends time and place but mere definitions of it while leaving enough room for dialogue and quests for more continuation.—
Daniella Walsh,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Connotations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/connotations. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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