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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 While providing causal links to the question may be tricky, The Tax Foundation points to the notion that most studies examining this topic suggest that state and local taxes affect migration. Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 But somewhere inside Japanese development studio Bandai Namco, the notion of making Pac-Man into an eldritch horror in time to celebrate the series’ 45th anniversary gained traction. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025 The euro had been weakening based on the notion that Europe would suffer more from any oil shortages in the Middle East. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 June 2025 Whereas some comics seem allergic to the notion of catering to the masses, Bargatze can’t imagine wanting to do anything else. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for notion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notion
Noun
  • Analysts who follow Walgreens see the move to private ownership as another plus because the company and a stock price attached to public ownership will no longer be subject to the whims of Wall Street.
    Bruce Japsen, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Stay true to your ideas, whims, and more once Leo season begins on July 22.
    Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Rowling has courted controversy since 2020 for regularly sharing beliefs on social media that many believe are transphobic.
    Zack Sharf, Variety, 22 June 2025
  • Whether or not influencers should share political beliefs online has been a contentious debate for years, but amid President Donald Trump’s second administration, crackdowns on health care, college protesters, and immigrants, this discourse has been pushed to the forefront.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • This chicken dinner idea checks several of the essential boxes for cowboy cooking: a cast iron skillet, plenty of Southwestern flavor, and a cheesy topping.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2025
  • Either way, there is much buzz about his big-picture ideas.
    Kairi Lowery, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Laura Aguilar, Kwame Brathwaite, Kalli Arte Collective, Jennifer Moon, Wendy Red Star, Roger Shimomura, Cindy Sherman, Rodrigo Valenzuela and June Wayne are among the more than 50 artists redefining and expanding the concept of identity. Saturday through Aug. 30.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
  • Within this exact conflict is where Antigravity Academy finds the concept of camp so important.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • In my opinion, being an entrepreneur is more than just launching new businesses and accomplishing objectives.
    Bharath Kumar Kakkireni, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Richie’s work on himself continues to, in my opinion, sustain all hope for humanity.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Hernandez admits Medicaid cuts could give people here second thoughts.
    John Daley, NPR, 22 June 2025
  • What are your thoughts on the increasing street course races in the NASCAR schedule?
    Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • Roberts also dismissed the plaintiffs’ concerns that Tennessee is forcing children to live within gender stereotypes.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 19 June 2025
  • Currently, toxic masculinity and the patriarchy are on the rise in our sociopolitical environment, and our culture is promoting oppressive gender roles and racial stereotypes and seeking to control the expression of sexuality.
    Colleen Bidwill, Mercury News, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • In a rare, bipartisan meeting of the minds, at least on this issue.
    CBS News, CBS News, 22 June 2025
  • And all of the brilliant military minds involved in this attack.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Notion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notion. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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