connotation

noun

Definition of connotationnext
as in implication
an idea or quality that is suggested by a word or thing a word with positive connotations The word "childlike" has connotations of innocence.

Related Words

Relevance

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 connotation Richmond Richmond may not have the immediate colonial connotations of some of the other cities in Virginia, but one of the most significant speeches of the Revolutionary era happened right in downtown Richmond. — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 Macchio’s other song picks all have references to religion or deities, whereas the Cohen song is entirely secular in nature, despite the connotations that have been placed on it by some performers as it has become popularized in recent years. — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 June 2026 That French idiom about having long teeth — les dents longues — can have negative connotations about a person’s ambitious streak. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 15 June 2026 Pavers or concrete designed to mimic natural stone slabs visually break up the surface, staving off parking lot connotations. — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for connotation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for connotation
  1. implication
  2. sense
  3. meaning
  4. hint
  5. indication
  6. definition
  7. suggestion
  8. message
Noun
  • But their path to the majority also depends on holding onto the seat in Michigan — infusing the choice voters make in Tuesday's primary with national implications.
    — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Political operatives say the implications could extend well beyond San Francisco.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of implication
Noun
  • Because of its garden, this is the kind of getaway with quiet outdoor spaces where that makes perfect sense.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Away back along the old sewer bank, the old place is anything like home either, now creating a deeper sense of loss for the supporters.
    — Lee Clayton, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • That changes the meaning of time in ways that are easy to underestimate.
    — Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • How will the tightly knotted structure of the grammar and syntax loosen into meaning?
    — Sabrina Jaszi, The Dial, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of meaning
Noun
  • January 20 – February 18 A money conversation may need fewer hints and more numbers.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Alright, read on for some hints and clues for today’s Wordle, plus today’s Bonus Wordle.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of hint
Noun
  • Initially, authorities said there were no apparent indications of foul play and that Wells could have drowned, noting the area is known for its dangerous rip currents.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
  • The clearest indication of Chelsea’s direction is the signing of Morgan Rogers.
    — Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of indication
Noun
  • Living and working across Southeast Asia reinforced early on in his career that there is no universal definition of exclusivity in luxury and what creates meaning for one guest may be entirely different for another.
    — Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In Cairo, two Egyptian sources said Hamas had agreed to several contentious points, including the handover of weapons, but had requested changes regarding the definition of the infrastructure to be dismantled, adding more talks were underway.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026
Definition of definition
Noun
  • State officials would still make decisions about technology, according to the PERB filing, as the union only asked to provide suggestions.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
  • If the former occurs, X doesn’t really offer solutions, only suggestions that users try basic fixes, like restarting or updating, switching to another device, or toggling between Wi-Fi or cellular data.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026
Definition of suggestion
Noun
  • The charging document also cited one of the many messages Dumarce sent to Cole, including some previously cited by Cole that included threats with pictures of her children.
    — Margaret Baker, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
  • The governor, in his veto message, cited affordability concerns.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of message

Browse Nearby Words

connoisseurs
connotation
connotations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Connotation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/connotation. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on connotation

Nglish: Translation of connotation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about connotation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All