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
Studies have also shown that extreme heat can exacerbate conditions such as depression, anxiety and suicide ideation.
—
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
The organization implements careful deployment of the capital, strengthened by human support to encourage and bolster ideation and creativity processes.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
That governance model evolved over time, moving upstream into ideation and pilot phases rather than serving as a final gate.
—Peter High, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
My afternoon consists of more caption writing and creative ideation.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ideation
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
The organization implements careful deployment of the capital, strengthened by human support to encourage and bolster ideation and creativity processes.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
That governance model evolved over time, moving upstream into ideation and pilot phases rather than serving as a final gate.
—Peter High, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
My afternoon consists of more caption writing and creative ideation.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ideation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideation
Noun
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Pop-ups are another major pipeline connecting and feeding our creativity.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
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The intuitive Moon is waltzing through your sign, partnering with innovative Uranus in your creativity zone along the way.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Unlike my writing, which is tightly constructed and works to make meaning of experience, my art relies most heavily on imagination.—
Gabe Montesanti,
PEOPLE,
19 Apr. 2026
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Only when the moment is over does the universe expand again, waiting for Johnson’s imagination to explore it.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There's also a palpable new seam of imaginativeness among residents.—
Toby Skinner,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Ideation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideation. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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