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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ideational
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
The United States, of course, cannot share everything—physical or ideational—with its partners.
—Thomas G. Mahnken, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 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
Einstein’s theories as ideational relativism.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 3 May 2021
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
The United States, of course, cannot share everything—physical or ideational—with its partners.
—Thomas G. Mahnken, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 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
Einstein’s theories as ideational relativism.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 3 May 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideational
Adjective
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And many additional ideas in theoretical physics seek to add in additional symmetries, additional dimensions, additional extra particles, or additional unification frameworks.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
9 Sep. 2025
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If not, these elements of Musk’s project are likely to remain more theoretical, just as the dreams of last century’s techno-utopians did.—
Sonja Fritzsche,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This time, Scott had a less metaphysical explanation for his torment.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
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The materialist, physiological explanation for the phenomenon of panic generates a bright contrast with the philosophical and metaphysical inquiries that have Nicholas, and Clune, in their grip.—
Scott Stossel,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For the moment though, the arm-packing robo-mower is still conceptual, and the NexLawn team hasn't revealed any production plans.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Sep. 2025
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Thom Browne, designer The designer has become globally recognized for his avant-garde approach to women’s and men’s, couture and even home, with conceptual runway shows that are must-sees in New York and Paris.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Not abstract, delayed or generalized data, but precise, real-time and location-specific insights delivered from the world’s most remote forests, deepest watersheds and most polluted urban corridors.—
Michael De Nil,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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As anyone who’s ever had a two-year-old could tell you, kids that age don’t quite see things in such abstract terms.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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High health care costs and medical debt also can take a toll on patients’ overall wellness, affecting their emotional and mental state.—
Megan Garnai,
IndyStar,
10 Sep. 2025
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Both Jill and Kendra say they were concerned about the contents of the messages, but also that the harassment and constant pressure would hurt Owen and Lauryn’s mental and emotional health.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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McCormick has long been an advocate and supporter of Best Buddies, an organization that champions inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
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The book club has helped replicate the intellectual community that she’s missed since leaving school.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ideational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideational. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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