as in meaning
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action
we should assume that the author is using the word in its ordinary signification
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of signification
According to Baudrillard, consumption is institutionalized as a signification as well as a social differentiation process.
—
Ayse Binay Kurultay, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 May 2026
Both artists draw from their Renaissance references to take up the significations of light, mass, and scale.
—Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
The result is a concept devoid of signification on its own terms.
—Literary Hub, 24 Mar. 2026
More Samuel Corum/Getty Images The final version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, contains signification revisions and rescissions to clean energy grant programs enacted as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
William is studying Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and writing a thesis on the theory of signification.
—Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024
What once had been a multitude of beings with varying cultural and spiritual significations—not to mention consciousnesses of their own—became commodities that held value only when inserted into a by-now self-propelling and endlessly expanding market.
—Ben Ehrenreich, The New Republic, 10 May 2023
The apartment signs of L.A. announce location through flair, decadence, strangeness, absurdity, signification.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2022
Location accuracy improved from there on out, with a signification portion of the data from the remainder of the experiment being within three miles of the craft’s true location.
—Amber Jorgenson, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2018
Ayse Binay Kurultay, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 May 2026
Both artists draw from their Renaissance references to take up the significations of light, mass, and scale.
—Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
The result is a concept devoid of signification on its own terms.
—Literary Hub, 24 Mar. 2026
More Samuel Corum/Getty Images The final version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, contains signification revisions and rescissions to clean energy grant programs enacted as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
William is studying Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and writing a thesis on the theory of signification.
—Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024
What once had been a multitude of beings with varying cultural and spiritual significations—not to mention consciousnesses of their own—became commodities that held value only when inserted into a by-now self-propelling and endlessly expanding market.
—Ben Ehrenreich, The New Republic, 10 May 2023
The apartment signs of L.A. announce location through flair, decadence, strangeness, absurdity, signification.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2022
Location accuracy improved from there on out, with a signification portion of the data from the remainder of the experiment being within three miles of the craft’s true location.
—Amber Jorgenson, Discover Magazine, 16 Jan. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signification
Noun
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Richard Gadd talks the prison scene, the meaning behind the title, and the last few minutes.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 May 2026
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This month, despite the spring of it all, my favorite covers were strange and dark, their meanings obscure.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Strategic shakeup Usually buying and selling is a cop out, but with where the Red Sox are in their competitive cycle the approach might make some sense.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
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Goins said the turnout Saturday reflected a sense of unity and hoped the protest would serve as a path forward for change and empowering communities of color, especially.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
31 May 2026
Noun
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The strikes have also targeted regions with biblical significance, threatening historical and archaeological sites.—
Alayna Treene,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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The president has pressured the Fed to cut rates, while Warsh has recently downplayed the significance and accuracy of the PCE gauge.—
D. Brian Blank,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
Noun
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
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This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.—
Ryan Brennan
June 2,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Noun
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This response would have been noticeably incongruous with the time, and it would certainly be read as the intentions with which it was likely written, as naming a kind of politics.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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Announced in February, the Octane Tour comes on the heels of Octane‘s release in January, which is an album Toliver made with the intention of catering to varying sounds and crowds.—
Preezy Brown,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Soon, this recognition stretched to include representational painting by younger Black artists, as museums, galleries, and collectors still more clearly signaled their progressive intent.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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There seems deliberate intent to create a live experience built around presence rather than ubiquitous documentation of concerts today, a theme that connects directly to their broader creative identity around authenticity and breaking conventions.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Signification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signification. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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