NOTION Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

notion

noun

ˈnō-shən

Definition of notion

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

as in whim

a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action I have a notion to go in-line skating this afternoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in belief

an idea that is believed to be true or valid without positive knowledge has this naive notion that most people are basically honest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fact
truth

as in idea

something imagined or pictured in the mind that modernistic building does not match my notion of what a country cottage should look like

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Disney+ and Netflix‘s buying habits appear to be dispelling the notion that non-English-language acquisitions aren’t on their agendas. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026 Sitting on the eastern edge of the Sonoran Desert, Tucson, Arizona, dispels all such notions. — Tovar Cerulli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026 These depict women, often pregnant and in birthing positions, with detailed anatomical models, challenging the notion that medicine and obstetrics were only developed later on. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026 The notions of a coaching tree and writing being open to everyone are in answer to Terrell’s own experience growing up in Kansas City as an aspiring writer. — Anne Kniggendorf, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for notion

Noun

Geneva Watch Days ran ahead like clockwork from September 2 to 6, with at least a dozen novelties introduced across the five-day affair.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026
Founded in 2019, Whatnot built its audience on novelties and collectibles.

— Ryan Baker, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of novelties

Noun

Shaw’s witty drawing-room debates also warn of a society indulging its whims as catastrophe approaches — a question of how to live when the world careens toward darkness.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
While mega oil and gas companies pay for some of the greatest intelligence in the world, even the world's greatest intelligence gatherers are subject to the whims of rogues with missile launchers.

— Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of whim

Noun

The exhibits that Lincoln chose to organize reflected her belief that art is concerned not just with aesthetics but also with history, culture and politics, her husband said.

— Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Trump’s support has bolstered Putin’s belief that time is on his side.

— Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of belief

Noun

Our research and engineering remain world-class, but our record of getting ideas to market and improving how products are made has been less stellar.

— Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
It has also been designed as a neighborhood gathering space, with Apartment at 365, the physical space representing the Happier pillar of discovery, idea exchange, community, creativity and collaboration.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of idea

Noun

The upcoming opportunity will seek concepts that apply this approach to SSN(X’s) internal arrangement.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
What your home is worth – on paper The first concept is the property assessment.

— Elizabeth Jane Beckett-Camarata, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of concept

Noun

The citizens of Chicago should demand that any person seeking the privilege to govern our city should demonstrate both the respect for the opinions of its residents, as well as a vision for reinvigorated methods of governing our city.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
The same poll found that 45% of likely voters hadn’t heard enough about Fazio to form an opinion of him.

— Katie Servas, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of opinion

Noun

The costume is the perfect excuse to dig out your skinny jeans, going-out top and pumps for a throwback to the aughts—a scary thought in itself.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
The prospect of losing that status can make the thought of escape unpalatable even for people who detest the regime.

— Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of thought

Noun

The film also features former congressman George Santos participating in a game involving dolls representing liberal stereotypes, a mock gas chamber, and a button labeled Zyklon B, the poison used by the Nazis at their death camps.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
Sacks’s representatives, as well as leaders of the Jewish United Fund, have argued that Johnson and his allies have leaned into antisemitic stereotypes that insinuate that Jewish people hold outsize influence.

— Leigh Giangreco, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of stereotype

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noting

notion

notional

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Style

“Notion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notion. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of notion

noun

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