1
as in weighing
to be of importance
it imports little whether you like Grandma's gift; you should have graciously thanked her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in meaning
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind
the word "freedom" can import different things to different people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of importing
With regard to the criminal element, Maryland and the rest of the states have their own fair share of homegrown criminals without importing more from the rest of the globe.
—
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
Imec considered opening in Abu Dhabi or Riyadh, the person said, but chose Qatar after being impressed by its effort to build a training pipeline rather than simply buying and importing technology.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
By 2020, Venezuela’s refineries had crumbled to the point that the country had to start importing gasoline from Iran.
—The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Our internal guys can improve in that skill or that can be corrected by importing somebody.
—Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
For example, there are no clear domestic laws in Lebanon banning asbestos, and data indicates the country continued importing the toxic substance well into the early 2000s, well after it had been banned in most other countries.
—Josiane Yazbeck, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
The Canes have made a habit of importing quarterbacks, signing Beck this year after taking Cam Ward from Washington State before the 2024 season.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
That’s because importing companies tend to find ways around the tariffs, or because countries negotiate enough compromises and exemptions to the tariffs to reduce the headline rate.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Wedding's organization, Attorney General Pam Bondi said at the time, is responsible for importing about 60 metric tons of cocaine a year into Los Angeles.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 30 Dec. 2025
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026
Imec considered opening in Abu Dhabi or Riyadh, the person said, but chose Qatar after being impressed by its effort to build a training pipeline rather than simply buying and importing technology.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
By 2020, Venezuela’s refineries had crumbled to the point that the country had to start importing gasoline from Iran.
—The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Our internal guys can improve in that skill or that can be corrected by importing somebody.
—Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
For example, there are no clear domestic laws in Lebanon banning asbestos, and data indicates the country continued importing the toxic substance well into the early 2000s, well after it had been banned in most other countries.
—Josiane Yazbeck, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
The Canes have made a habit of importing quarterbacks, signing Beck this year after taking Cam Ward from Washington State before the 2024 season.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
That’s because importing companies tend to find ways around the tariffs, or because countries negotiate enough compromises and exemptions to the tariffs to reduce the headline rate.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Wedding's organization, Attorney General Pam Bondi said at the time, is responsible for importing about 60 metric tons of cocaine a year into Los Angeles.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for importing
Verb
-
Maryam Zar, who formed a community group to help guide the recovery from the Palisades fire, is also weighing a mayoral bid — and doesn’t plan to decide until the final day.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Analysts say Beijing may be weighing trade, investment and other measures to respond – and dissuade other countries in the region from taking similar steps.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The host cities are spread across Northern Italy without streamlined travel connection, meaning Finoff has had to bring extra staff and supplies to each site.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But mainly because the Dolphins must cut ties to the main principals of the Grier-McDaniel-Tua era, meaning ex-general manager Chris Grier, ex-coach Mike McDaniel and Tua.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Psychologists, sociologists, and philosophers vary in their definitions of mattering, but at its core, mattering is the feeling that we are valued and have value to add to the world.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
-
When age stopped mattering During the bourbon boom that accelerated after 2012, demand exploded faster than distilleries could age whiskey.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Seattle is currently +800 (8-to-1) to win a second straight title, implying a roughly 11 percent chance of a repeat.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Analyst Ben Reitzes also lowered his price target to $430, implying that shares could add 7%.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Approximately 80% of that figure comes from consulting services, signifying that enterprises are compensating IBM to create operational AI systems, rather than merely executing pilot programs.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Up the color spectrum, Matthew Tkachuk worked in a powder-blue jersey signifying something between no contact and light contact.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Outstanding Chef is a national category, denoting a chef who has set high standards to the broader culinary culture.—
Brock Keeling,
Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
WalletHub graded 18 metrics on a 100-point scale, with 100 denoting the most favorable conditions for a Thanksgiving celebration, per the study.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Without intending, even as the Vietnam War lingered on and the national mood was grim, halftime became classic Americana, a telling mixture of self-parody and pride.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Instead, the Bucks are intending to see if a future can be crafted in Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo going forward, or else resume trade negotiations either closer to June’s NBA draft or during the next salary-cap calendar that opens July 1.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Importing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/importing. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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