Synonyms of notional

notional

adjective

ˈnō-sh(ə-)nəl 

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

• theoretical
• metaphysical
• abstract
• conceptual
• speculative
• mental
• intellectual
• ideal
• hypothetical
• spiritual
• ideational
• cosmic
• invisible
• transcendental
• immaterial
• conjectural
• intangible
• utopian
• romantic
• imperceptible
• impractical
• incorporeal
• ethereal
• unreal
• insubstantial
• nonphysical
• nonmaterial
• transcendent
• visionary
• unsubstantial
• impalpable
• insensible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• physical
• concrete
• substantial
• tangible
• actual
• material
• visible
• appreciable
• real
• discernible
• perceptible
• observable
• sensible
• definite
• noticeable
• detectable
• distinct
• palpable
• nonabstract
• defined
• factual

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

• imaginary
• fictitious
• fictional
• mythical
• imagined
• fantasied
• imaginal
• ideal
• phantom
• theoretical
• unreal
• fanciful
• chimerical
• make-believe
• invented
• phantasmal
• hypothetical
• phantasmic
• visionary
• fantastic
• made-up
• pretend
• legendary
• unlikely
• romantic
• fabulous
• abstract
• fabled
• illusory
• fictive
• unbelievable
• unconvincing
• envisioned
• delusive
• envisaged
• hallucinatory
• deceptive
• conceived
• delusional
• visualized
• phantasmagoric
• nonexistent
• pictured
• feigned
• concocted
• daydreamlike
• fabricated
• inexistent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• actual
• real
• existing
• true
• genuine
• existent
• factual
• authentic
• realistic
• physical
• substantial
• verifiable
• convincing
• solid
• believable
• corporeal
• tangible
• material
• palpable
• verified

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of notional

If your quarterly goal is to raise conversion and the biggest drop-off sits in checkout, then that flow should become your priority, not a notional footer redesign. — Polina Chebanova, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

No matchup is notional from here on. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 27 June 2026

The challenge is that orbital data centers are mostly notional, and not actually demonstrated by operating tech — at least yet. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 11 June 2026

That places an emphasis on tangible experiences versus notional projects that may or may not go anywhere. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 10 June 2026