Definition of notionnext
1
as in novelties
notions plural small useful items the fabric store had a wide variety of thread, pins, buttons, and other notions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
4
5
as in concept
an idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation the popular notion that college athletes are airheads

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun notion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of notion are conception, concept, idea, impression, and thought. While all these words mean "what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan)," notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

When is concept a more appropriate choice than notion?

The words concept and notion can be used in similar contexts, but concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

How do conception and concept relate to one another, in the sense of notion?

Conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

When might idea be a better fit than notion?

While in some cases nearly identical to notion, idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas
my idea of paradise

Where would impression be a reasonable alternative to notion?

The words impression and notion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

When can thought be used instead of notion?

In some situations, the words thought and notion are roughly equivalent. However, thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

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 notion But new evidence has started to challenge the notion that human childbirth is uniquely dangerous. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 29 June 2026 The decision is being interpreted as a victory for the notion that the central bank should be kept independent from the direct influence of the president. Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 29 June 2026 Legal realism dates back to the 1930s, based on the commonsense critique that predictions about the law require some incorporation of the facts rather than purely abstract notions of legal rights. Elizabeth C. Tippett, The Conversation, 29 June 2026 Hearing it from a teammate at the time reinforced the notion a bit more. Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for notion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notion
Noun
  • The 2026 edition was one for the books, with a record 66 houses showcasing their latest novelties to around 60,000 visitors in Geneva and nearly 1 billion online.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 June 2026
  • The organizations that treat these tools as durable, governable infrastructure, rather than novelties, will be the ones that turn AI potential into measurable progress.
    Ricardo Tavares, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • The butler service goes above and beyond, catering to your whims including in-room dining (available 24 hours a day for butler suite guests) dropping off bug spray to the room, organizing your clothes into the closet upon arrival, and will even pick you up for dinner in style.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 June 2026
  • Britain has experienced major blows to investment and productivity, a historic surge in annual net migration, and—shorn of the diplomatic heft of a united Europe and subject to the whims of a bullying Trump—a geopolitical humbling.
    Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • As Jupiter and Chiron clash, explore new beliefs or ideas without committing to them – yet.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Beyond the importance of education, he was also motivated by his own beliefs about the role of wealth in society and China’s national development.
    Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • So, Larry took a shine to this idea very quickly, in a way that Larry rarely takes a shine to anything.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 27 June 2026
  • The World's Fair, as it's also known, introduced millions of people to inventions, architecture and ideas that still influence our lives today.
    Suzanne Le Mignot, CBS News, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • The broad genre of pop also gives artists room to experiment, said O’Brien, adding that audiences these days are well aware of the concept of eras and understand artists will go through multiple ones throughout their careers.
    Chelsey Sanchez, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • That was kind of the concept, is just to continue to add shooting.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Coney Barrett signed on to the majority opinion that Roberts wrote, and Kavanaugh concurred.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Maureen Groppe What will the justices do after wrapping up today’s final opinions?
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Denver’s brass was asked about those comments on Wednesday, and Wallace responded by sharing some thoughts on the team’s internal and external goals.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 26 June 2026
  • And this led me to think about sharing thoughts about the final dance.
    Nancy K. Schlossberg, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • The stereotype is that acclimatization to any weather has been a source of cultural pride.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 27 June 2026
  • Despite living longer, Americans often prioritize looking young over aging well, perpetuating negative stereotypes.
    Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Notion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notion. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on notion

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster