notion

noun

ˈnō-shən How to pronounce notion (audio)
Definition of notionnext
1
as in novelties
notions plural small useful items the fabric store had a wide variety of thread, pins, buttons, and other notions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in whim
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action I have a notion to go in-line skating this afternoon

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in belief
an idea that is believed to be true or valid without positive knowledge has this naive notion that most people are basically honest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in idea
something imagined or pictured in the mind that modernistic building does not match my notion of what a country cottage should look like

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in concept
an idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation the popular notion that college athletes are airheads

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun notion contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of notion are conception, concept, idea, impression, 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)," notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

When is concept a more appropriate choice than notion?

The words concept and notion can be used in similar contexts, but 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, in the sense of notion?

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 might idea be a better fit than notion?

While in some cases nearly identical to notion, 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

Where would impression be a reasonable alternative to notion?

The words impression and notion 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

When can thought be used instead of notion?

In some situations, the words thought and notion are roughly equivalent. 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 notion The truth is that our culture is often still more comfortable with the notion of a couple that consists of a powerful and successful man and a woman who largely plays the role of silent cheerleader on his arm. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 21 May 2025 Blaney agreed with that notion, mentioning how taxing the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway is each season. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025 That notion influenced the revamp of the French brand’s flagship in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City, unveiled Tuesday. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 20 May 2025 The notion that O’Ward is not well-known enough, though, doesn’t ring true within the IndyCar world. —Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for notion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notion
  1. whim
  2. belief
  3. idea
  4. concept
  5. opinion
  6. thought
  7. stereotype
  8. mind
Noun
  • Automatic bids would provide a layer of protection for the blue bloods from the whims of a committee that uses an inscrutable process.
    — Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
  • The scope of these enormous solar storms is important to understand for technology experts in the 21st century, which is much more vulnerable to the whims of the sun due to society's dependence on electronic systems and space technologies.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 19 May 2025
Definition of whim
Noun
  • With antisemitic beliefs already at their highest levels in decades, and with Jewish communities around the world facing a tsunami of antisemitic harassment and vandalism, especially post-Oct. 7, his comments about Jews and praise for Hitler are reaching a younger, more susceptible audience.
    — Jonathan A. Greenblatt, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
  • But that week, belief felt like the scarcest resource of all.
    — Curt Steinhorst, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Definition of belief
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
  • But without the grounding ballast of a well-articulated sense of self, these jokes are free-floating concepts in search of the context that actually makes sitcom quips memorable.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 28 May 2025
  • Freedom Denim addressed the demand for soft fabrics with several new concepts including a robust line of chenille denim.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 May 2025
Definition of concept
Noun
  • While feelings of self-doubt might arise, don’t let others’ opinions deter you from pursuing your goals.
    — Essence, Essence, 2 June 2025
  • While the advice from Google is certainly not to be ignored by users, in my never humble opinion, Walsh does not agree.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Definition of opinion
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
  • Still, the in-and-out running of Trump’s tariff policies carries some important lessons for investors — and anyone else obsessing over Trump’s thought processes.
    — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Definition of thought
Noun
  • Marianna Zhang was studying how children develop race and gender stereotypes as a postdoctoral fellow at New York University when her National Science Foundation grant was canceled.
    — Christina Larson, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
  • The law also protects transgender students and students who don’t conform to gender stereotypes.
    — Jim Drummond, Oc Register, 22 May 2025
Definition of stereotype
Noun
  • With January’s trauma still fresh in the minds of many, Verdery said the group is focused on rebuilding with an eye toward safety and resilience.
    — Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 29 May 2025
  • The thought of sitting out spring practices never crossed star running back Kyren Williams’ mind, despite an ongoing contract negotiation between his representatives and the Los Angeles Rams.
    — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Definition of mind

Browse Nearby Words

noting
notion
notional
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Cite this Entry

“Notion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notion. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

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