1
as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea
she has a notional understanding of romantic love but no actual experience of being in love
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imaginary
not real and existing only in the imagination
your computer's "visits" to various parts of cyberspace are entirely notional—you stay put and the Web pages come to you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 notional
Also at the end of the first quarter, Tepper owned put options with a notional value of $2.5 billion against the SPDR S & P 500 Fossil Fuel Reserves Free ETF (SPYX), the filing revealed.
—
Yun Li, CNBC, 16 May 2025
Furthermore, these cosmic close calls might be best understood using concepts derived from string theory—a notional theory of everything that posits that all of nature is fundamentally composed of countless, wriggling subatomic strings.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 13 May 2025
Those plans remain notional, but France and Britain want to have detailed options for European participation, while also insisting that the United States provide key elements like air cover, without troops on the ground.
—Steven Erlanger, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
This date is also supported by a notice to mariners, but it should be taken as notional rather than something to be confident in.
—ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for notional
Yun Li, CNBC, 16 May 2025
Furthermore, these cosmic close calls might be best understood using concepts derived from string theory—a notional theory of everything that posits that all of nature is fundamentally composed of countless, wriggling subatomic strings.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 13 May 2025
Those plans remain notional, but France and Britain want to have detailed options for European participation, while also insisting that the United States provide key elements like air cover, without troops on the ground.
—Steven Erlanger, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
This date is also supported by a notice to mariners, but it should be taken as notional rather than something to be confident in.
—ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for notional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notional
Adjective
-
This score reflects real-world usage rather than theoretical task analysis.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The resulting mysteries and their solutions only get more creative once the gang is back together, even dipping into theoretical science and thought experiments as the basis of his mind-bending stories.—
Kambole Campbell,
Vulture,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
Human rights, utopias, interracial love, ambition, war and betrayal are the ingredients of this film crafted with archival images and an imaginary diary shot on 16mm film that expresses all the modernity of Cabral’s vision of the world.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Another transforms her into the enigmatic hostess of an imaginary cabaret, a nod to her Broadway performance in 2014.—
Elizabeth Grace Coyne,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Vendors will offer beads, minerals, gemstones, custom jewelry, fossils, artifacts, and metaphysical stones.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Aug. 2025
-
The series invites fans on a metaphysical road trip through the West Coast sunset with a euphoric lineup designed to illuminate audiences and create space for community, connection and spiritual transformation.—
Caroline Tell,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
The trailer is the latest installment in the film’s unique marketing campaign, which has featured seemingly authentic advertisements for the fictitious Rental Family Agency’s unique services.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
5 Aug. 2025
-
For security purposes, ministry members use pseudonyms, usually their first name and a fictitious last name, and all mail comes to the church address at 400 East Westminster in Lake Forest.—
Gina Grillo,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Second, present bias: the immediate pain of thinking through problems manually outweighs abstract future concerns about skill atrophy.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
10 Aug. 2025
-
Try the look with this sleeveless shirt dress that has an abstract print, full button front, waist ties, and a midi length that hits right below the knees on most people.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
People.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Penned by renowned sommelier Enrico Bernardo, Wine & Travel Mediterranean Islands traverses the region’s mythical places where wine, culture and nature meet.—
Kissa Castaneda,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
McDonald’s is celebrating the revitalization of the mythical world with an all-new McDonaldland Meal, available starting August 12.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
On the other hand, the Republic of Korea said that more conceptual clarity is needed for the concept of value creation.—
Nana Ama Sarfo,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Town consultants have created a conceptual plan showing 214 apartments spread between the Daniels Mill, the adjacent Anacoil Mill and the Amerbelle complex.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Run every business decision by this fictional person, and make sure your team do it too.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Her character owned a cheese shop in the fictional town of Ren Mar and developed a relationship with Silas (Hunter Parrish).—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Notional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notional. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share