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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun idea contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of idea are conception, concept, 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)," 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 can concept be used instead of idea?

While the synonyms concept and idea are close in meaning, 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 are the words conception and concept related as synonyms of idea?

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 would impression be a good substitute for idea?

The meanings of impression and idea largely overlap; however, 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 idea?

The synonyms notion and idea are sometimes interchangeable, 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 is it sensible to use thought instead of idea?

The words thought and idea can be used in similar contexts, but 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 idea The cultural dynamic of these ideas has changed, but the fundamental product being sold by Musk has not: one man with a singular ability to brute force his way to the future. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025 But Zambia is contradiction of traditions, of ideas, things that live next to each other. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025 And then there was the Drip God, which was never my idea. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 This innovative idea allows companies to analyze and optimize their processes with real-time results rather than relying on subjective interviews. Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for idea
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idea
Noun
  • Xiaomi’s Camera Mod Could Upgrade Phone Photography Photograph: Simon Hill Aside from its main announcements, Xiaomi granted us a sneak peek at a new modular concept camera phone.
    Simon Hill, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2025
  • In 1920, the initial concept transformed into the modern-day, red Michelin Guide, and stars for fine dining began in 1926.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The two most visible competitors, Samsung and Apple, do have models that sit between the vanilla and the Pro handsets, but their difference is a larger screen with the same performance as the vanilla model.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Well, the set of the Valentino show was a red room where models waited inside bathroom stalls, which was reportedly inspired by the late great film director David Lynch, who worked with Naomi Watts on the 2001 film, Mulholland Drive.
    Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Your personal changes will offer clarity and revision and give you a purpose that makes life worth living.
    Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025
  • For recording purposes, some of the best models will continue to run on powerful personal computers.
    Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Much has been made of the Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud of 2024, and Xzibit has chimed in with some thoughts on the historic battle, as well as what’s fair when embroiled in a rap beef.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Propper Daley’s invite-only A Day of Unreasonable Conversation will stay on the schedule as an annual gathering of thought leaders and entertainment industry insiders.
    Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • For example, Resilience — which is not flying a CLPS mission but will collect moon dirt under a separate NASA contract — is scheduled to make its landing try in late May or early June.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The Solstice, for example, weighs 580 lb (263 kg), which is 33% less than a typical 90-kWh battery.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • As a union, AFGE has been issuing bargaining demands in response to the agency’s recent decisions and plans to enforce employee rights through other methods as necessary, spokesperson Couture said.
    Lorie Konish, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Estate distribution among beneficiaries can be handled in various ways, with each state providing a default method and estate planning attorneys utilizing multiple strategies to tailor distribution plans.
    Ashley Case, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • More important, the notion of having U.S. mining operations on or near the border between the Ukraine and Russia, especially the bord is with its occupied Ukrainian territory, to serve as a deterrence to future military action is hardly going to appeal to most private companies.
    Michael Lynch, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • What Fuller did, however, was challenge this notion, Powell said.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The myth of the cowboy has played a significant part in shaping an ideal of Western manhood, but in a time of growing tensions between traditional values and modern viewpoints, there is a challenge to that classic representations of masculinity.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • This jacket comes in a sweater-like fabric that one shopper called ideal for chilly weather.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Idea.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idea. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on idea

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