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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 Plz Clarify drops flip that notion on its head. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2025 Parc Astérix in Plailly, France It’s expected to balk at the notion of escaping one of the most beautiful cities in the world for a day at a theme park. Zachary Laks, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025 Staying true to Doctorow’s novel, if never quite achieving its mastery, Ragtime sets out to illustrate the grand notion of America as a melting pot, a place where in the early 1900s the country still offered the hope or the ideal of something like justice and equality. Greg Evans, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025 For most of the year, Salesforce shares have been weighed down by the notion that AI is a threat to the software-as-a-service business model. Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for notion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notion
Noun
  • Although both could be compelling novelties, neither improves the game.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Seeking out the world’s rarest novelties is one of Prosper Assouline‘s greatest passions.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Denim street style at Paris Fashion Week captured the free-spirited, anything-goes vibe of recent collections—empowering consumers to experiment with their denim looks on a whim.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
  • As the leader of LVMH with a 48% stake in the business, his fortune is largely at the whim of whether consumers are buying up opulent products like Louis Vuitton bags, TAG Heuer watches, and Dom Perignon champagne.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • However, Yacoubian expressed her belief that more progress towards Palestinian statehood needs to be achieved before countries will commit.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Dunbar sued the company in 2022, alleging that the production failed to accommodate his belief in the tenets of the Congregation of Universal Wisdom, which disapproves of vaccines and other medical interventions.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Bank of America reiterates Nvidia and Broadcom as buy Bank of America says the stocks remain favorite ideas at the firm.
    Michael Bloom, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
  • It’s not presented as an idea because of how we were raised.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Duran had published articles on Tan and his wealthy colleagues, like Balaji Srinivasan, a tech investor who was promoting an esoteric but stubbornly influential concept called the Network State.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The mill’s Flexy Form concept showcases high-stretch denim with soft-touch yarns, excellent recovery, and body-shaping flexibility—designed to adapt to all body types and lifestyles.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The opinion is also one of which the new Victoria’s Secret creative director, Adam Selman, disagrees with.
    Essence, Essence, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The move divided opinion in Kenya but underscored Odinga's enduring role as a political power broker.
    NPR, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • To put a cap on preseason and training camp and to prepare for what’s ahead, here are my predictions and thoughts on how the Knicks will handle their depth chart and rotation heading into the season.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • As the players performed snow angels in the confetti on the Levi’s Stadium field, the prevailing thought was there would never be another Von or a Denver D like this.
    Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Zimmer said her experience of seguing into her 50s has been contrary to the stereotype that women of a certain age tend to become invisible in a world that revolves around men and youth.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Along the way, the seniors challenge stereotypes, defy expectations and discover how the timeless power of creativity can build lasting friendships.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Notion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notion. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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