as in senses
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action
didn't understand all the technical jargon, but got the general import of the speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in matters
to be of importance
it imports little whether you like Grandma's gift; you should have graciously thanked her
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in means
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
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 imports
Julia Simon, NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
In January, Noboa also imposed tariffs on Colombian imports and said they would not be lifted until the security situation along the border between both countries improves.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
About 40% of the oil China imports passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
—CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
In that time, imports from cheaper markets like Mexico have soared as domestic production has stagnated.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Germany feared imports would be cut off in war.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
Some of California’s refineries have shut down in recent years, so the massive state relies on imports of gasoline and other refined products from Asia.
—Cathy Bussewitz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Erica York, vice president of federal tax policy at the Tax Foundation, noted that the first investigation covers roughly 70% of imports, while the second would cover nearly all of them.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
Having shifted away from Russian energy since its invasion of Ukraine, Europe now relies more heavily on imports from the Gulf region.
—Yarden Segev, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
China, which imports nearly a third of its oil through the strait, has urged all parties in the conflict to refrain from disrupting international trade.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
According to analytics firm Kpler, India imports roughly 85% of its LPG and sources about 50% of its liquified natural gas (LNG) – crucial for fertilizers, electricity, and transport – from the Middle East.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
In Bangladesh, which imports nearly 95% of its energy needs, fuel prices have risen, leading to rationing, panic buying, and long lines.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
India, which imports nearly 90% of its oil, is vulnerable as crude prices surged toward $120 per barrel, and the impact on the economy could be significant.
—Swati Gupta, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
India imports nearly 85% of its crude and as global oil prices increase due to the Middle East conflict, the country's already substantial energy import bill is expected to balloon.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Taiwan also imports nearly all of its LNG.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
However, those supplies — and the fact that the United States imports little oil or gas from the Middle East — won’t insulate consumers from higher gas prices.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
Last year, Pakistan reduced its LNG imports, in part because of the rapid growth of solar and batteries.
—Julia Simon, NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
In January, Noboa also imposed tariffs on Colombian imports and said they would not be lifted until the security situation along the border between both countries improves.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
About 40% of the oil China imports passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
—CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026
In that time, imports from cheaper markets like Mexico have soared as domestic production has stagnated.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Germany feared imports would be cut off in war.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
Some of California’s refineries have shut down in recent years, so the massive state relies on imports of gasoline and other refined products from Asia.
—Cathy Bussewitz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Erica York, vice president of federal tax policy at the Tax Foundation, noted that the first investigation covers roughly 70% of imports, while the second would cover nearly all of them.
—Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026
Having shifted away from Russian energy since its invasion of Ukraine, Europe now relies more heavily on imports from the Gulf region.
—Yarden Segev, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
Cuba, which imports 60% of its oil, has not received a fuel shipment in three months, Díaz-Canel said.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
China, which imports nearly a third of its oil through the strait, has urged all parties in the conflict to refrain from disrupting international trade.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
According to analytics firm Kpler, India imports roughly 85% of its LPG and sources about 50% of its liquified natural gas (LNG) – crucial for fertilizers, electricity, and transport – from the Middle East.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
In Bangladesh, which imports nearly 95% of its energy needs, fuel prices have risen, leading to rationing, panic buying, and long lines.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
India, which imports nearly 90% of its oil, is vulnerable as crude prices surged toward $120 per barrel, and the impact on the economy could be significant.
—Swati Gupta, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
India imports nearly 85% of its crude and as global oil prices increase due to the Middle East conflict, the country's already substantial energy import bill is expected to balloon.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Taiwan also imports nearly all of its LNG.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
However, those supplies — and the fact that the United States imports little oil or gas from the Middle East — won’t insulate consumers from higher gas prices.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imports
Noun
-
In his directorial debut, Ian Tuason plays with the senses in this chilling flick about a pair of paranormal podcasters who are sent a series of disturbing audio files.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The result — from the tunnels carved out by tomb robbers to the trains that run day and night — is a cinematic gift for the senses and specifically, to paraphrase one of the more philosophical characters, about our understanding of time’s ability to both preserve and destroy.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With prices rising, that distinction matters more than ever.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
-
What matters in this context is not simply the content itself but the scale at which it is consumed.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Its location along the Tropic of Cancer means a wide variety of plant life; guests can adventure through five different ecosystems.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
-
For someone building savings later than planned, the Roth’s structure means no future tax bill eating into returns during the years that matter most.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The vehicle and its contents had an approximate value of $51,780.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
This year, Reuters reported, its contents are worth roughly $350,000.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The humanoid stands about 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs roughly 175–180 pounds (79–82 kilograms), and is intended for tasks such as reconnaissance, bomb disposal, and other high-risk ground operations.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
-
That divergence is largely the result of the fact that the consumer price index weighs housing inflation more heavily, and the rate of increases in rent has slowed alongside the overall economy.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Analyst Glen Santangelo’s $200 price target implies that shares could climb 18% from Monday’s close.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
-
After all, saying psychiatric euthanasia for young people should be avoided in the future implies that it should have been avoided in the past.—
Charles Lane,
The Atlantic,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Recently other meanings have been proposed, but in any reading the hundreds of human figures portrayed on the frieze represent a broad swath of Athenian citizenry.—
James Romm,
The New York Review of Books,
19 Mar. 2026
-
There’s nothing remarkable here but the name itself, which stops you cold, and which contains multitudes, meanings and lessons, without even trying, as if coming across the grave of Huckleberry Finn or Sherlock Holmes.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The release signifies Sullivan couldn’t find a trade partner to offload Tagovailoa and his contract.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
After all, when placed on a marquee, this punctuation mark signifies that a film will contain an exceptional array of excitement, thrills, and shock, heightening our expectations — as well as our disappointment when (as often happens) the hype isn’t delivered.—
Rachel Simon,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imports.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imports. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
