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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Recent Examples of signification
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).
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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
But oranges, which were a delicacy that Leonardo may have seen firsthand at the table of the Duke of Milan, bore significance in the history of painting beyond their signification of luxury.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2021
On March 25, the agency warned Pfizer (PFE) of signification violations at its Hospira facility in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, which makes sterile injectable medicines.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 1 Apr. 2020
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
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
But oranges, which were a delicacy that Leonardo may have seen firsthand at the table of the Duke of Milan, bore significance in the history of painting beyond their signification of luxury.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2021
On March 25, the agency warned Pfizer (PFE) of signification violations at its Hospira facility in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, which makes sterile injectable medicines.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 1 Apr. 2020
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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Now armed with a new perspective on her own life and her father’s, the past takes on new meaning.—
Nora Dahlia,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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To understand the soul may have required silk, cheesecloth, cotton wool, even offal—but these mundane materials, Warner shows us, held meaning.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Filler shots of chauffeurs, champagne and colossal walk-in closets with pristine designer clobber glistening and gleaming from glass shelves centred around trays and trays of priceless jewels assault the viewer’s senses between almost every scene.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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For all the fans’ cries for the team to go all in, there’s still the matter of dollars and sense.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In addition to being around her work, Zohran appreciates the significance behind it.—
Makena Gera,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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Each month’s full moon has a different name that carries cultural significance.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Mamdani has also embraced the world of podcasters and influencers, recently hosting a news conference exclusively for content creators that his campaign said was aimed at reaching new and less politically engaged audiences, according to NBC News.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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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.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But, no matter how good your intentions are, life always manages to throw a wrench into your cleaning routine.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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Analysts remain puzzled over the White House’s intentions, with some speculating that hardliners are vying to remove Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro from power.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Many equine businesses ultimately agree with the county’s intent of preserving agricultural lands, but fear the unforeseen consequences that could put their livelihoods — and community — at risk.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
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Last year, the studio announced its intent to produce more English-language projects as part of its bid to broaden its reach.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Signification.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signification. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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