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
For many of us, pink comes with youthful connotations.
—
Minty Mellon, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026
While being essential tools, knives and axes have violent connotations, suggesting a history of violence and seve- rance.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
There are enough negative connotations associated with the clubs for the NBA to be scared and to stop the Hawks’ plans.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
No image more so than Smith’s Invisible Hand, with its spooky, occult, and gothic connotations that strike me as precisely appropriate.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
But even as residents and visitors celebrated the Year of the Fire Horse, many were also celebrating a local who seemed to exemplify the symbol’s connotations of strength, speed and momentum — Olympian Alysa Liu.
—Christian Leonard, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Feb. 2026
In this way, the bro construction exploits the vaguely negative connotations attached to masculinity in order to tar something else with the same brush.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
Here, however, the connotations of an overeager creator whose outsized intentions come crashing down to earth seem accidental.
—Eric Kohn, IndieWire, 25 Feb. 2026
Jade is a plant and a stone, with connotations of balance and healing and wellness in Eastern medicine.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
Minty Mellon, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026
While being essential tools, knives and axes have violent connotations, suggesting a history of violence and seve- rance.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
There are enough negative connotations associated with the clubs for the NBA to be scared and to stop the Hawks’ plans.
—Jason Jones, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
No image more so than Smith’s Invisible Hand, with its spooky, occult, and gothic connotations that strike me as precisely appropriate.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
But even as residents and visitors celebrated the Year of the Fire Horse, many were also celebrating a local who seemed to exemplify the symbol’s connotations of strength, speed and momentum — Olympian Alysa Liu.
—Christian Leonard, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Feb. 2026
In this way, the bro construction exploits the vaguely negative connotations attached to masculinity in order to tar something else with the same brush.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
Here, however, the connotations of an overeager creator whose outsized intentions come crashing down to earth seem accidental.
—Eric Kohn, IndieWire, 25 Feb. 2026
Jade is a plant and a stone, with connotations of balance and healing and wellness in Eastern medicine.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for connotations
Noun
-
As a legal battle plays out, voting rights experts across the political spectrum say the case could have nationwide implications.—
Kristin Scharkey,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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The implications could extend far beyond matters related to LGBTQ+ rights to other forms of talk therapy, telehealth, and physician advice on Covid-19, vaccines, or reproductive care.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But step through its shiplap door, and your senses shift again.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Engaging the senses centers mindfulness even in the most hectic work environments, lowering stress and opening up the headspace for thinking.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As of late March, these two meanings have converged.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But in the excitement over human exploration of the moon, the meanings behind the missions' namesakes and the mythological figures that inspired them can get lost.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Many people speak of the timeliness of the themes of this show.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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The project is rooted in themes of loneliness, psychological control and the seductive pull of structure in an isolated life.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are hints tossed out to suggest his characters’ inner recesses.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
-
There are hints that some forms of present animal life predated the Cambrian.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Researchers studied her cells by cultivating them in a laboratory and saw indications of a selective advantage, with healthy skin cells favored over diseased ones.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
And in last night’s ninth inning, in the midst of plenty of indications the Padres have problems, there was a moment that might have provided a sign that Tatis is still Tatis — and maybe even has grown into a more complete version of himself.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In response to questions about the future of FEMA, Mullin pushed back on suggestions the agency could be shuttered for good.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Servers are warm and gracious, while bartenders like The Cove’s Mario will learn cocktail preferences in no time and offer suggestions based on mood and palate.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Advocates say the impact would extend far beyond immigration enforcement, creating uncertainty for hospitals, schools, employers and government agencies that rely on clear definitions of citizenship.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
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Many revolved around the definitions of affordable versus low-income housing, and disagreements on Hallquist's goals to increase both kinds of housing in certain areas of Brookfield.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Connotations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/connotations. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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