as in indicative
indicating something
a string of absences from this course will be seen as denotative of the student's lack of interest in it
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Recent Examples of denotative
Semantic bleaching is another linguistic process whereby the denotative content of a word is stripped away.
—
Brandon Tensley, CNN, 10 July 2022
The paragon of such an attempt is something like Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror, a work that stands as a denotative record of the social media shift, yet still falls to the same difficulties that characterize other cultural criticism of this type.
—SPIN, 8 Feb. 2022
Brandon Tensley, CNN, 10 July 2022
The paragon of such an attempt is something like Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror, a work that stands as a denotative record of the social media shift, yet still falls to the same difficulties that characterize other cultural criticism of this type.
—SPIN, 8 Feb. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for denotative
Adjective
-
Past performance is not indicative of future results.—
Heather L. Locus,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
And the real differentiation doesn’t always come from whether the grifter fails or succeeds in their mission; the nature of the grifter’s success or failure can be just as indicative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Across the street from Hamburguesas El Gordo, a Mexican street food spot on Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis, a 29-year-old arborist stood on a corner Wednesday morning wearing a black hooded jacket under a reflective vest and an orange whistle on a string around his neck.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
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Frie recommends layering in reflective and light-balancing elements, noting that warm metallics, such as brass fixtures or gilded mirrors—along with thoughtful lighting, are essential.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Denotative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denotative. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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