as in creativity
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others
caregivers are trained to watch for signs of depression and suicidal ideation—some patients are likely to put their fantasies to action
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Recent Examples of ideation
The end result is an effective means of filtering out bad UX concepts at their ideation stage while allocating more time to more positive experiences.
—
Dmytro Spilka, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Some architects even think that AI programs might do more ideation, while letting human artisans do the work of transferring designs to the real world.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Homicidal ideation involves thinking about or considering harming or killing other people.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Card’s mental health spiral led to his hospitalization and left him paranoid, delusional and expressing homicidal ideations, the claim said.
—Holly Ramer, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideation
Dmytro Spilka, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Some architects even think that AI programs might do more ideation, while letting human artisans do the work of transferring designs to the real world.
—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Homicidal ideation involves thinking about or considering harming or killing other people.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Card’s mental health spiral led to his hospitalization and left him paranoid, delusional and expressing homicidal ideations, the claim said.
—Holly Ramer, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideation
Noun
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At Ironworks Steaks and Fine Cocktails, Chef Joseph Cusmano brings creativity and skill to a traditional steakhouse menu with a few fun surprises to keep diners on their toes.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
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Simply add your own creativity and can-do spirit.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Leaders who embrace it — by giving agency, reframing emotions and designing for imagination — are closer to breeding resilience and innovation.—
Melissa Jun Rowley,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
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Every scam didn’t need a clever mastermind; in fact, many seemed to somehow spring from a collective imagination.—
Snigdha Poonam,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ideation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideation. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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