1
as in thoughts
something imagined or pictured in the mind
my idea of the perfect vacation spot is an uncrowded, unspoiled beach
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in models
someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation
Helen Keller remains my idea of a person with indomitable spirit
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in plans
something that one hopes or intends to accomplish
the idea is to get the information without seeming to be nosy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 ideas
In a county that includes 88 cities, all of which have overlapping and sometimes conflicting ideas, there have been few avenues for reaching consensus.
—
National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Those are ideas most Americans — especially people who actually spend time outdoors — can still rally behind.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Federal officials recently launched a prize competition to reward ideas for controlling the flow of aquatic species into and out of the ballasts of boats that travel among the various lakes and waterways across the United States.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Some fusion research is connected to weapons, but Loureiro was part of a large network of scientists working on big experimental reactors and sharing ideas at meetings and in papers.
—Faye Flam, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
While both ideas are hypothetical — neither is being seriously considered by Congress — support for each cuts across many backgrounds and party lines.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 7 May 2026
Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering what’s changing in how fashion is made, scaled or engineered from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Alas, the Legislature in Sacramento has other ideas.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
Jean had ideas for things that could get messed up as well.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Those are ideas most Americans — especially people who actually spend time outdoors — can still rally behind.
—Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
Federal officials recently launched a prize competition to reward ideas for controlling the flow of aquatic species into and out of the ballasts of boats that travel among the various lakes and waterways across the United States.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Some fusion research is connected to weapons, but Loureiro was part of a large network of scientists working on big experimental reactors and sharing ideas at meetings and in papers.
—Faye Flam, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
While both ideas are hypothetical — neither is being seriously considered by Congress — support for each cuts across many backgrounds and party lines.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 7 May 2026
Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering what’s changing in how fashion is made, scaled or engineered from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Alas, the Legislature in Sacramento has other ideas.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
Jean had ideas for things that could get messed up as well.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideas
Noun
-
These intimate reflections read like pages taken from private diaries, with all the informality and vulnerability of that genre, including misspellings and stray thoughts.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
The other, more in the background but never far from her thoughts, is the ordeal of the Palestinian people.—
Adam Hochschild,
The New York Review of Books,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
However, the models rely heavily on assumptions about Ganymede’s internal chemistry, and scientists still cannot directly observe the moon’s deep interior.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
-
If properly cared for, newer models last around 20 years.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Liverpool have revised plans to increase ticket prices following protests and lengthy discussions with the club’s supporters’ board.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
Letter writer blames sister-in-law for brother’s non-Jewish funeral plans.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Washington Post,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
And all sorts of people—technologists, writers, artists, politicians, investors, and businesspeople—now work to shape our notions about what’s to come.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
In it, Hayek cautioned against the growing intellectual and political notions that disregarded liberty in favor of central planning of economic affairs.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
As examples go, many clubs in Italy could do worse than follow Sassuolo, particularly at a time when there is so much gloom about the state of the game in the bel paese.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
Both nations represent the best examples of Western civilization.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Senior forward Jordyn Washington, who also scored Tuesday, has a team-best 17 goals.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Beachy is worried that basic research could take a back seat to short-term goals as defined by the White House.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And there are valid questions about what lasting impact there may be for the Kansas City area, particularly in terms of future regional transportation concepts that KC2026 hopes will take root.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2026
-
The resort will debut several food and beverage concepts in stages.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
But lofty ideals need a pragmatic application, in this case, distribution.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
3 May 2026
-
His opponents mostly argue within the same framework, insisting the system should be fairer but still organized around the same ideals.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ideas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideas. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
