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 Lee scoffed at the notion such a large-scale project deserved a federal exemption. — Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 The Lizzie Borden story takes this appealing notion and runs with it. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 The band had always shot down any notions of them doing a full tour with someone else singing Petty’s songs. — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026 Quantum information is a very current vogue, and a lot of people turn the question of interpretation into quantum informational notions. — Quanta Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for notion

Noun

Founded in 2019, Whatnot built its audience on novelties and collectibles.

— Ryan Baker, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Other novelties included Kiss Kiss, reinvented in 2005 with Hervé Can der Straeten, and Rouge G, reinvented with Lorenz Bäumer featuring the famed double-mirror case.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of novelties

Noun

The world’s richest entrepreneurs have watched their net worths skyrocket and plummet at the whim of the stock market.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
There are many reasons the United States needs clear, stable regulations on artificial intelligence, rather than relying on the whims of a leader.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of whim

Noun

De facto general manager Duke Tobin defended his belief in them after the draft.

— Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Glover credits his professional successes to this system, and his experiences over a decade at NASA have reinforced his belief in that kind of educational approach.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of belief

Noun

Venus in your communication zone connects awkwardly with Uranus in your career sector, making a message, comment, post, or casual idea more visible than intended.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
And the tariffs are a terrible idea in any event, amounting to a consumer tax and interrupting crucial trade.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of idea

Noun

As the ideas evolved, the story of Shaun being a mad scientist emerged as an early concept the team loved.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
Its Asaya wellness concept comes with a full-size swimming pool and offers various dining options from Masayoshi Takayama’s Tobi Masa to New York cult favorite Carbone’s first outpost in London.

— Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of concept

Noun

The Capricorn Moon squares Mercury in your sign, making family expectations, tradition, or someone else’s opinion feel louder than usual.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Jurors must be able to deliberate candidly without fearing that every argument, compromise or expressed opinion will later become evidence in litigation.

— Monu Bedi, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of opinion

Noun

The afflicted can feel very strongly about them, strongly believe them, even though there is no convincing reason for holding that thought.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Lea Michele, who gained her first major fame as a cast member of Broadway’s Spring Awakening, paid tribute to the musical’s late composer Duncan Sheik today, remembering their first meeting and her thoughts upon his passing yesterday.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of thought

Noun

That Carmela mostly keeps her frustration in check, never punishing Julián for his innocent mischief, speaks to how the film challenges stereotypes around Latino households.

— Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
In a 2023 article about the creation of CoachingHER, Tucker Center director Nicole LaVoi and former Nike social-impact executive Caitlin Morris also said workshops with girls and coaches helped shape the program's focus on gender stereotypes.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 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 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of notion

noun

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