concept

noun

ˈkän-ˌsept How to pronounce concept (audio)
Definition of conceptnext
1
as in notion
an idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation trying to change the public's concept of a nightly newscast

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in idea
something imagined or pictured in the mind a concept for a new kind of automobile that could revolutionize the industry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun concept contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of concept are conception, idea, impression, notion, and thought. While all these words mean "what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan)," concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

How do conception and concept relate to one another?

Conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

When is it sensible to use idea instead of concept?

The synonyms idea and concept are sometimes interchangeable, but idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas
my idea of paradise

When would impression be a good substitute for concept?

The words impression and concept are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

Where would notion be a reasonable alternative to concept?

The words notion and concept can be used in similar contexts, but notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

When could thought be used to replace concept?

The meanings of thought and concept largely overlap; however, thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

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 concept The rear of this new trailer puts this concept to work via Airstream's popular hatch, bringing the outdoors in for a breezy lounge experience. —New Atlas, 7 June 2025 Chisholm said the concept came up during his rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset. —Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 7 June 2025 Ars Video These artist concepts visualize our Milky Way galaxy seen face-on and edge-on. —Stephen Clark – Jun 6, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025 For players who love the stress of a nail-biting Mario Kart experience, Knockout Tour is the pinnacle of the concept. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for concept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concept
  1. notion
  2. idea
  3. conception
  4. thought
  5. stereotype
  6. impression
  7. theory
Noun
  • The very notion of shared destiny and collective goals is fading.
    — Sturla Henriksen, Time, 5 June 2025
  • Many of the pointed questions that Cruz Guerrero sought answers to in the text revolved around fatherhood, namely the elusive notion of work-life balance.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Definition of notion
Noun
  • Per usual, the old and new world methods clash over topics like whether to physically restrain Emma to a bed, and Theophilus is convinced that anything that looks like rational evidence against his ideas is just Satan manipulating everyone’s brain.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 4 June 2025
  • Entertainment companies have been exploring how to use AI in their processes, which supporters say can help reduce costs and allow creatives to test bold ideas without as many financial constraints.
    — Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Definition of idea
Noun
  • As a child growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina, Elliott Hundley formed his conception of how artists live based on cinematic archetypes of painters and sculptors roughing it in bohemian splendor in converted industrial spaces.
    — Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 30 May 2025
  • Akin uses a child’s perspective to wrestle with a nation’s conception of itself in the waning days of brutality.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
Definition of conception
Noun
  • Pope Leo's Style of American Leadership Is a Hopeful Opportunity This body of thought, which had its most notable appearance in his 1891 encyclical, Rerum Novarum, introduced the world to a new approach to the social, economic, and political challenges of the day.
    — Time, Time, 29 May 2025
  • And, of course, doing all these things in the presence of clients just shows a complete lack of rational thought.
    — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 29 May 2025
Definition of thought
Noun
  • However, female flight attendants also faced considerable discrimination, as they were expected to conform to stereotypes around race and gender.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 6 June 2025
  • The punch of the stereotype derives from its resemblance to God’s honest truth.
    — Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025
Definition of stereotype
Noun
  • That gives the impression, in the stage production, that Clooney’s Murrow is going toe to toe with the real-life McCarthy.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 June 2025
  • On social media, comments, shares and saves can be more impactful than impressions.
    — Andrea Aker, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of impression
Noun
  • But the people interviewed for this story float several theories.
    — Tyler Hicks, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025
  • As fear grew in 2023 over the failure to reach a deal on raising the debt ceiling, the White House was said to be considering an option of last resort: an untested legal theory that involves invoking the 14th Amendment.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 June 2025
Definition of theory

Browse Nearby Words

concentration camps
concept
conception
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Cite this Entry

“Concept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concept. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on concept

Nglish: Translation of concept for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about concept

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