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
His tax reform of 1978, a major priority, was dead on arrival even among notional allies.
—
Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 2 Jan. 2025
At that time, the anger within the family pushed the idea of a pardon from the notional to the plausible, according to several people familiar with the president’s thinking.
—Katie Rogers, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2024
Mauritius may have gambled with its national dowry, but its consideration for a destitute citizenry wasn’t merely notional.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
As options trading expands, the notional value tied to bitcoin could increase substantially, without requiring physical bitcoin to be bought or sold.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for notional
Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 2 Jan. 2025
At that time, the anger within the family pushed the idea of a pardon from the notional to the plausible, according to several people familiar with the president’s thinking.
—Katie Rogers, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2024
Mauritius may have gambled with its national dowry, but its consideration for a destitute citizenry wasn’t merely notional.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
As options trading expands, the notional value tied to bitcoin could increase substantially, without requiring physical bitcoin to be bought or sold.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for notional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notional
Adjective
-
But to sacrifice Negan to The Dama in theoretical perpetuity?—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
5 May 2025
-
And none of us could have imagined that our theoretical models would fit the data so well.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
This means flopping through different symbolic rooms of an imaginary house — a schtick that Danielle Deadwyler also had to do for the same reason in The Woman in the Yard, a movie that might still be playing when Thunderbolts* hits the cineplex.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
The deeper themes about race and history and culture, as well as the sheer terror and excitement, all feed audiences craving to confront our demons and fears, but in a safe imaginary setting – all the more important when those fears increasingly stalk the daytime for so many people.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Photo: Alfama Films No one writes dialogue like Cronenberg — perplexing alien dialogue, a sci-fi tongue of oddball terminology and metaphysical shop talk.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Owning pets is also a metaphysical threat to the fabric of reality, even for straights.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them.,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
It’s been a full decade since Poot Lovato had her last taste of freedom — and according to Demi Lovato, the hilarious, fictitious alter ego is staying locked up for many decades more.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Officers of the court have a duty of candor to the court and an obligation not to file fictitious lawsuits that have no basis in fact or law.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Wingard’s sequel is a bit more abstract than its predecessor, focusing too much on strange world-building and too little on the battle between our two beloved heavies.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
-
The channel features an abstract logo with Letterman’s signature beard and glasses.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Chicago Bears, unofficial offseason champs more than once in recent years, could be pushing for another mythical crown.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
-
For the uninitiated, these mythical concepts, Vril and Agartha, both originate in books.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Solomon bravely represented conceptual artists such as Paik and Gordon Matta-Clark, and artists from the Arte Povera, and the Pattern and Decoration movements.—
Tom Teicholz,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
-
Surreal, beautiful, and then truly shocking, this is a classic conceptual A24 horror, with all the hallucinatory imagery, and head-spinning, hairpin bends that entails.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
7 May 2025
Adjective
-
Also surmised by the movie trailer is that the plot surrounds fictional driver Sonny Hayes, played by actor Brad Pitt.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
4 May 2025
-
Focus Features Papal conclaves have inspired several books and films Released in 2024, the movie Conclave, based on the 2016 novel of the same name, focuses on the fictional death of a Pope and the subsequent election process.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Notional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notional. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share