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denotation

noun

ˌdē-nō-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce denotation (audio)
Definition of denotationnext
1
as in moniker
a word or combination of words by which a person or thing is regularly known "soul" is the common denotation for that mysterious force within the human body that gives it life and yet is separate from it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in meaning
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action although most people exercise for fitness, the denotation of the term "fitness" varies from exerciser to exerciser

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 denotation The 7x2 and 9x4 designations are a denotation of the rockets' engine configurations. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was killed during the denotation on July 19 at Erbil Air Base. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 21 July 2026 Controlled denotations were conducted Sunday at the site to dispose of hazardous materials, the agency said. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2025 How much control, at this point, the subcommittee can exert over emoji denotation and connotation isn’t clear. — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 29 June 2025 But the New Zealand Department of Conservation lists the reptiles as at risk — relict, a denotation reserved for species that declined to a small population but have since stabilized. — Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2024 Cleverly staging appearance as disappearance, connotation serves as denotation. — Jerrine Tan, Wired, 4 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for denotation
  1. moniker
  2. meaning
  3. nomenclature
  4. sense
  5. name
  6. significance
  7. title
  8. content
Noun
  • The moniker of the Ploughman is a reference to William Langland’s poem Piers Plowman, which predates the Peasants’ Revolt.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
  • If the two Death Valleys required decades of heat, winning, noise, folklore and linguistic drift to establish their names, another of college football’s most enduring monikers arrived with far less mystery.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of moniker
Noun
  • Research-Grade Interviewing Beyond collecting responses, ascertain whether the system uses research-grade interviewing to probe for deeper meaning.
    — Stu Sjouwerman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Producers who picked up trophies for that honor include Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Alex Timbers, and Sabrina Carpenter, meaning, yes, EGOT Watch is officially on for Sabrina.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of meaning
Noun
  • Many women-forward organizations are rightfully changing their nomenclature and their audience to be inclusive of non-binary and trans women, because that’s a whole other subsection that is often more ignored.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Public-health officials coined a nonjudgmental nomenclature that persists to this day.
    — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Definition of nomenclature
Noun
  • Bieber and Gausman are the two names on this list that make the most sense to bring back.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Karrahboooo’s flow, kind of like Veeze or Lucki, manages to feel both laid back and conversational and deeply and intricately rhythmic, an almost enchanting combination made more potent by Karrahbooo’s almost dance-leaning sense of melody.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • Beers, a tight end with one of the most marketable names in college football, is on his way to becoming a fan favorite in Norman.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The oil refinery along the water gave the city its name — Standard Oil named its second refinery in the state El Segundo in 1911.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of name
Noun
  • Even more important, however, is the symbolic significance of Hall agreeing to a contract extension.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • With so many of the buildings downtown with any kind of historic architectural significance already under landmark protections, Berman has shifted his focus to preserving properties with some kind of social importance.
    — David Freedlander, Curbed, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of significance
Noun
  • That led to a two-year stint as offensive coordinator with the Falcons and then a return to Tuscaloosa for two more seasons as OC, helping Saban win the last of his six national titles with the Crimson Tide in 2020.
    — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The title story from her short story collection, Waiting for the Long Night Moon, won the 2021 Indigenous Voices Award for Unpublished Prose.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of title
Noun
  • Instead, Marc Karimzadeh, senior director of content and communications for the Council of Fashion Designers of America, swung by the workroom.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Serious accusations must be supported by evidence and presented before the appropriate authorities, not through statements in media outlets whose content prioritises sensationalism and media exposure over accuracy and truth.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of content

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denotation
denotations
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Cite this Entry

“Denotation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denotation. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on denotation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about denotation

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