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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

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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 Last May, in the wake of the Heat being bounced out of the first round of the playoffs, Riley shot down the notion of an immediate extension for Jimmy Butler, in light of the time the former All-Star forward routinely had missed. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2025 Marvel has taken its time bringing the X-Men into the MCU and has slowly been introducing the very notion of mutants into the narrative while at the same time teasing fans with clever cameos. Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025 But many industry unions, weary of telling their members bad news for years about the state of the business, signaled receptivity to the notion after Trump fired off his tariff tweet on Sunday. Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025 Where self-service happens effectively, software engineers are able to move towards the notion of establishing an internal developer portal. Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for notion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notion
Noun
  • But no overhaul is forthcoming, leaving the CIA and its peers vulnerable to Trump’s demagoguery, and Americans vulnerable to the whims of a surveillance state.
    James Santel, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
  • Individuals are stripped of their dignity and sorted according to the whims of the social justice plan.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • However, Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes have great belief in Bradley, who joined Liverpool from Dungannon Swifts in 2019.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • More than 200 people have died in Lake Lanier since 1994, fueling long-standing local beliefs that the reservoir may be haunted.
    Jenna deJong, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • It’s gone through many changes since, but the core idea of bringing a dozen great amateur bakers together under a big white tent to show off their skills in pastries, breads, cakes, and other baked goods remains reassuringly constant.
    Katie Rife, EW.com, 11 May 2025
  • Down a long hall is the Youth Leadership Council, a plenary of teens who brainstorm ideas for these Wednesday gatherings.
    Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • Founded by Frank Winfield Woolworth in New York in 1879, the retail chain sold staple items from pencils to baseballs at low prices, often just a nickel or a dime, a revolutionary concept that helped Woolworth’s expand to 5,500 five-and-dime stores nationwide at its peak.
    Katya Cengel, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2025
  • Ordoñez says the concept is something Arab nations have strongly opposed.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • As the years have passed and new storylines are tackled, John has tried to set some serious boundaries with Barb and her overbearing opinions.
    Sara Belcher, People.com, 9 May 2025
  • And the 69-year-old Leo has a trail of social media posts promoting opinion articles critical of Vice President JD Vance ‒ one as recent as April 14 ‒ over Vance's interpretation of Scripture and his position on immigration.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • However, the 2025 study found that people with higher emotional intelligence struggled significantly less with these thoughts than others.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • Want to stay up to date on IndieWire’s film reviews and critical thoughts?
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Arguing that its mishmash of American Italian is perpetuating national stereotypes, certain members of the Italian government have requested a disqualification.
    Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 13 May 2025
  • Carrier didn’t fit any stereotype of a glad-handing huckster with a bad loan to sell.
    Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • What's on Kourtney Kardashian Barker's mind right now?
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 17 May 2025
  • To my mind, the Caesars Palace Times Square proposal is the best option to ensure that sense of security and help the Crossroads of the World thrive.
    Duane Jackson, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Notion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notion. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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