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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 Here are some other ideas for using up your jar of ube halaya. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2025 Establish open communication channels for employees and suppliers to share ideas. Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 Here, Michele’s responses to WWD questions elaborating on his ideas of daily life. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2025 House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is giving a big boost to those who want to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks, an idea that has bipartisan backers in Congress and broad support in the public. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for idea
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idea
Noun
  • After working in the outdoor industry for years, a vendor trip to China opened his eyes to the environmental impacts of traditional manufacturing and, coupled with his knowledge of the massive amount of waste plastic being produced domestically, pushed him toward the Trash Gear concept.
    Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 22 Apr. 2025
  • So ideas like pitchside seating concepts or clubs that can be built in at the Emirates are enticing options.
    Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The tiered model approach allows developers to select the appropriate balance between performance and cost, with GPT-4.1 Nano being ideal for tasks like classification or autocompletion, and the standard GPT-4.1 model suited for more complex applications.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The model aims to help students live and learn together—making everyone feel welcome, and also helping students navigate the conflicts that inevitably arise in a community where people have different world views.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The name’s ironic on purpose—the app allows users to create, send, and receive anonymous voice messages in a celebrity’s tone.
    Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Each edge of this triangle-esque tool serves a unique purpose: a smooth, long side for sweeping over wider areas like calves, arms, and thighs; a precision tip for targeted acupressure; and a ridged edge for digging into tense tissue.
    Allure, Allure, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The increasing prevalence and potential for invasion of privacy (of our thoughts, no less) has prompted lawmakers in some jurisdictions to take action.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In Southern California, for example, the 50501 spokesman says food drives are planned to support people who continue to struggle in the wake of the January wildfires as well as those who may be affected by the rising price of goods amid President Trump's tariffs.
    Emma Bowman, NPR, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Visitors can double as such, by picking up trash, for example, and otherwise looking out for the environment at the parks.
    Addy Bink, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Trump has upended the global trading system that has been in place for over 75 years with a plan for tariffs on products from across the world.
    Chris Prentice, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • However, the governor’s plan would require halting planned tax cuts, while Republicans in the Senate have emphasized cutting taxes for North Carolinians as a top priority.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Yes, the notion that a good tackle might fall is a big if.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The development reinforces the notion that Nvidia — the driving force of the generative AI boom on Wall Street for the past two years, turning in extraordinary sales, profit and share-price growth during that time — finds itself in an increasingly precarious moment.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On May 2, Venus will join Neptune in Aries, adding a dreamy, almost ethereal quality to your love life — try not to get swept up in ideals and fantasies.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • For many, financial security is becoming more important than aligning every purchase with environmental ideals.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Idea.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idea. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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