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
It’s been given negative connotations.
—
Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2026
It's been given negative connotations.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Faustian parables unlock more interesting connotations when considered not in terms of politics, but of art.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
These matchups have tremendous hype and historic connotations.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
However, in the 21st century, kitsch has come to shed many of these negative connotations.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
However, secondhand shopping didn’t always have such positive connotations, as it was sometimes associated with thrift store-buying that can be a lifeline for the economically disadvantaged.
—Mari Sato, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
Yes, low-tops (or high-tops, if that is your preference) can be dressy, despite their more casual connotations.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 12 Nov. 2025
People bristle at the word procedural, because for a while that had negative connotations to it.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2026
It's been given negative connotations.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Faustian parables unlock more interesting connotations when considered not in terms of politics, but of art.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
These matchups have tremendous hype and historic connotations.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
However, in the 21st century, kitsch has come to shed many of these negative connotations.
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
However, secondhand shopping didn’t always have such positive connotations, as it was sometimes associated with thrift store-buying that can be a lifeline for the economically disadvantaged.
—Mari Sato, Dallas Morning News, 4 Jan. 2026
Yes, low-tops (or high-tops, if that is your preference) can be dressy, despite their more casual connotations.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 12 Nov. 2025
People bristle at the word procedural, because for a while that had negative connotations to it.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for connotations
Noun
-
Not for escapism, per se – Roseberry’s Schiaparelli show, one of his finest and weirdest to date, vibrated with implications about our world’s rigid definition of beauty, with horns, feathers and splashes of neon – but for indulgence.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
This disparity has implications for how — and if — consumers spend their money.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But just that movement requires a mind-boggling coordination of muscles, joints and senses – Rowley estimates that a simple step-touch involves 40 muscles.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Complicating matters is the fact that Maddie is deaf and mute, forcing her to utilize her other senses to stop the killer from claiming her as his next victim.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Everyone seemed to be interested in exploring the fabric of the city, trying to excavate its strange atmospheres and hidden meanings.—
Hari Kunzru,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Must all phenomena have meanings upon meanings?—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy (2003), for instance, worked within the revenge thriller genre but infused it with uniquely Korean themes about shame and family honor.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Across rooms and conversations, three themes stood out clearly.—
Vaishali Nigam Sinha,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
A day of poring over records, however, gave up nothing more than hints and shadows.—
Eugene Robinson,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Butterfly décor and hints of Mariah Carey lavender filled the Los Angeles Convention Center as the Queen of Christmas and R&B legend was celebrated on her big night.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Self said early indications are Jackson and Peterson would be available for the contest.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
1 Feb. 2026
-
All indications from folks on Murray’s side suggest the 29-year-old would prefer to find a new destination ahead of the trade deadline.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Lamont has repeatedly balked at such suggestions, pointing to estimated $1 billion in annual costs.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs was asked to rank his favorite songs from female rapper Cardi B, offering suggestions on a poster.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Workaholism Isn’t One Thing Classic definitions of workaholism emphasized hours worked.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Some of the report categories included data from as many as 35 cities, while others because of differences in definitions for specific crimes or tracking gaps, include fewer cities in their totals.—
Claudia Lauer,
Fortune,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Connotations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/connotations. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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