notional

adjective

ˈnō-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce notional (audio)
Definition of notionalnext
1
as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea she has a notional understanding of romantic love but no actual experience of being in love

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in imaginary
not real and existing only in the imagination your computer's "visits" to various parts of cyberspace are entirely notional—you stay put and the Web pages come to you

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 notional Their new simulation method models notional dark matter interactions with particles called baryons—that is, mainly protons and neutrons—in and around a Milky Way–scale galaxy. — Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 6 May 2026 Kalshi, the dominant prediction market platform with more than $21 billion in notional trading volume as of June 1, didn’t participate. — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 24 June 2026 Global derivatives markets are estimated at more than $800 trillion in notional value, underscoring the scale of the systems Kalshi is attempting to extend. — Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 Hyperliquid generated approximately $962m in fees in 2025 on roughly $3tn in notional trading volume. — Bob Diamond, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notional
  1. theoretical
  2. imaginary
  3. metaphysical
  4. fictitious
  5. abstract
  6. fictional
  7. conceptual
  8. mythical
Adjective
  • When people see that scams can be built around them specifically, security habits stop feeling theoretical and start feeling necessary.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • After machine learning identified promising candidates, researchers verified them through theoretical calculations before synthesizing and experimentally confirming the materials.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
Definition of theoretical
Adjective
  • Hop aboard an imaginary Vespa, or perhaps a high-speed train eastward to the boot country, where not every meal comes blistering out of a brick oven or ladled from a bubbling pot.
    — Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026
  • Some rehearse using a bedpan — placing it in the right spot, cleaning out the imaginary contents.
    — Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 30 June 2026
Definition of imaginary
Adjective
  • This spiritual, metaphysical, and downright weird show is ostensibly about a nun’s quest to find and destroy the Holy Grail, which will result in the deactivation of the powerful, pervasive AI that gives the series its name.
    — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
  • In both the real and metaphysical locations of the show, the backgrounds are all painted by hand, something which was pointed out took up a lot of time due to the number of paintings in the show and due to the number of montages.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 25 June 2026
Definition of metaphysical
Adjective
  • The book traces the fictitious Yeoman family’s evolution over generations from self-sufficient homesteaders to participants in global markets.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 23 June 2026
  • Hosting its usual presentation at its headquarters, located a stone’s throw from San Babila square, the brand installed video walls that broadcast a fictitious runway show created with the help of AI.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 June 2026
Definition of fictitious
Adjective
  • In the June 23 Section A, the obituary for Greenspan said that he was married briefly to abstract artist Joan Mitchell.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Instead of abstract phishing examples, show employees how much of their own digital footprint is publicly available and how easily fraudsters can turn it into a convincing fake profile, email or message.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of abstract
Adjective
  • Aside from the fictional King Kong, who first appeared in a 1933 film atop the skyscraper, others in real life legally — and illegally — climbed the famous skyscraper.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • In honor of The Bear’s final season, Jono Pandolfi’s signature white and toasted clay dinnerware (featured in the fictional restaurant) is 15% off.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 July 2026
Definition of fictional
Adjective
  • An artist's rendering of development of a conceptual moon base near the lunar south pole.
    — Denise Chow, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • The German conceptual artist and painter Rune Mields, who designed her own grave, has died at age 91.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of conceptual
Adjective
  • But a wiser course might be to emphasize a kind of counter-nostalgia, reclaiming a mythic past for the forces of tolerance and democratic generosity.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • Together, the band brings to life a mythic world of ancient heroes and villains, attracting an excited audience of headbangers and fantasy fanatics, many of whom show up in costume.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 29 June 2026
Definition of mythical

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Cite this Entry

“Notional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notional. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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