IDEATIONAL Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

ideational

adjective

ˌī-dē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl

Definition of ideational

as in theoretical

dealing with or expressing a quality or idea ideograms are ideational—they are meant to suggest some general idea and not a particular word or phrase

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 ideational Constructivists’ major argument is that world politics is as much ideational as material and that relations among states depend on norms as much as on military or economic power. — Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2025 These ideational shifts, influenced by both global narratives and local aspirations, are increasingly shaping how Indians approach relationships. — Anuradha Gupta, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025 The ideational content of the image — a man killing another man on a public sidewalk — is only half the message. — F.k. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025 This process, which Doten-Snitker and her coauthors term ideational diffusion, often took many years as people in towns and cities needed time to digest new ideas about witchcraft and turn them into behavior. — Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2024 Steven Spielberg extends Griffith’s and Ford’s historical insight through an astonishing mix of visual and ideational dialectics. — Armond White, National Review, 28 June 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideational

Adjective

There is a theoretical possibility that a team taking too long over five simultaneous substitutions could be forced to play with six for a while, which could be fun.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Errors reach combat The risks are no longer purely theoretical.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of theoretical

Adjective

That Dante lived during both the 13th and 14th centuries — and that Tosches’ movements as his novel’s protagonist take place at the start of the 21st century — means nothing in Schnabel’s meta-metaphysical realm.

— A.D. Amorosi, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026
The war on language is more metaphysical than just the policing of proper social justice terminology, Williams argues.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Definition of metaphysical

Adjective

Primary contractor Raytheon and partner Composite Energy Technology (CET) developed HADALUS in under 18 months from conceptual sketch to functioning prototype.

— David Szondy August 17, New Atlas, 17 Aug. 2026
Though not outright as conceptual as its predecessors, La Nueva Violencia leaves room to ponder celebrity overexposure and the mind-warping effects of the content age.

— Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of conceptual

Adjective

That site is temporarily closed, and many of the items—pedestals and furniture, photographs and tools—are coming from Paris for this show, giving Brancusi’s cool, abstract sculptures a rich, human context.

— Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
Venus in your 12th House of Solitude trines Pluto early on, helping private healing feel less abstract and more powerful.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of abstract

Adjective

Marshall had been charged with defrauding his mother’s estate of millions by inducing her to change her will in his favor after her mental capacity had faded.

— Robert D. Mcfadden, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
Family businesses can build in legal safeguards, such as mandatory retirement ages or mental capacity evaluations, according to Rahn.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of mental

Adjective

The working-out of that vision, by way of experience that arises from her sudden change of circumstances, is the movie’s emotional and intellectual heart, its main line, abstract in form but altogether concrete in the decisions that result.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
The book is notable for its intellectual depth and evocative descriptions of finding and entering the many lakes, as well as the vivid sensory impressions of swimming in each different location.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of intellectual

Browse Nearby Words

ideation

ideational

idée fixe

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ideational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideational. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ideational

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

rigmarole

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes