as in creativity
the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others
caregivers are trained to watch for signs of depression and suicidal ideation—some patients are likely to put their fantasies to action
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Recent Examples of ideation
Lectra empowers design and development teams to move faster and smarter with integrated tools for ideation, pattern making, 2D/3D prototyping and fabric usage optimization.
—
Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
The research grant recipients are in the ideation period, which includes identifying secondary sources, following storylines, and building foundational relationships.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025
Writings in notebooks and on the guns indicate a series of grievances, anger and ideations of harm to self and to others.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2025
In 2018, a survey found that 55 percent of wildland firefighters have exhibited suicidal behavior or ideation, compared to 33 percent of non-wildland firefighters, but consistent and reliable data regarding the mental health of wildland firefighters simply does not exist.
—River Selby
august 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideation
Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
The research grant recipients are in the ideation period, which includes identifying secondary sources, following storylines, and building foundational relationships.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025
Writings in notebooks and on the guns indicate a series of grievances, anger and ideations of harm to self and to others.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2025
In 2018, a survey found that 55 percent of wildland firefighters have exhibited suicidal behavior or ideation, compared to 33 percent of non-wildland firefighters, but consistent and reliable data regarding the mental health of wildland firefighters simply does not exist.
—River Selby
august 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideation
Noun
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By presenting domestic routines with the same creativity and attention to detail as a fashion spread, Smith has shifted the cultural conversation, making intentional, slow living as aspirational as her ensembles themselves.—
Cortne Bonilla,
Vogue,
21 Sep. 2025
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Research shows creativity often peaks about two weeks after returning from time off.—
Jacob Kupietzky,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Governments, investors, and operators must align on a broader, more modern definition of infrastructure—and act together with urgency and imagination.—
Maurice Obeid,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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In an atmosphere of repression and fear, these women discover courage, solidarity, and the power of imagination through the simple transformative act of reading together.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ideation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideation. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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