concept

noun

ˈkän-ˌsept How to pronounce concept (audio)
Definition of conceptnext
1
as in notion
an idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation trying to change the public's concept of a nightly newscast

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in idea
something imagined or pictured in the mind a concept for a new kind of automobile that could revolutionize the industry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun concept contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of concept are conception, idea, impression, notion, and thought. While all these words mean "what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan)," concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

How do conception and concept relate to one another?

Conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

When is it sensible to use idea instead of concept?

The synonyms idea and concept are sometimes interchangeable, but idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas
my idea of paradise

When would impression be a good substitute for concept?

The words impression and concept are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

Where would notion be a reasonable alternative to concept?

The words notion and concept can be used in similar contexts, but notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

When could thought be used to replace concept?

The meanings of thought and concept largely overlap; however, thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

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 concept Everybody's Live With John Mulaney isn't actually a straightforward comedy special, but a novel concept from Netflix - a live talk show in which Mulaney interview celebrity guests, similar to his Everybody's in L.A. last year. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 4 Mar. 2025 But even if the administration agrees with the concept, Trump isn't likely to mention one of former President Biden's signature accomplishments. —Peter Sullivan, Axios, 4 Mar. 2025 The first Lenovo concept is Lenovo’s AI Display, a monitor that aims to optimize the user experience with artificial intelligence. —Zackery Cuevas, PCMAG, 4 Mar. 2025 But Zero Day takes the concept even further, introducing a scenario far more complex than a single software flaw. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for concept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concept
  1. notion
  2. idea
  3. conception
  4. thought
  5. stereotype
  6. impression
  7. theory
Noun
  • More important, the notion of having U.S. mining operations on or near the border between the Ukraine and Russia, especially the bord is with its occupied Ukrainian territory, to serve as a deterrence to future military action is hardly going to appeal to most private companies.
    — Michael Lynch, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • What Fuller did, however, was challenge this notion, Powell said.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of notion
Noun
  • Then Sterling did some less effective things and got suspended anyway, so that mad idea was, at least, parked for the time being.
    — Amy Lawrence, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • This means that if Treasury would simply revalue its gold at prices closer to today’s price of about $2900 per ounce, Tariff or Tax Revenues Collected in Bitcoin A more experimental idea involves collecting certain taxes, fees, or tariffs in bitcoin.
    — Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of idea
Noun
  • Public health experts say the curriculum should be expanded to include all parts of the menstrual cycle, including ovulation signs and the luteal phase, which is when conception typically occurs and can last 12 to 14 days.
    — Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
  • There's a much bigger story to Sinatra and her conception of this bunker and what her plan was for this bunker long-term that will fill her out and explain her story even more.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of conception
Noun
  • Allow users to communicate their thoughts and concerns about the technology, especially in the early adoption stages.
    — Mohamed Lazzouni, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The thought of picking up their lives and moving somewhere else became real, and their priorities changed.
    — Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of thought
Noun
  • For generations, mainstream narratives have failed to recognize the contributions of Native entrepreneurs, often reducing Native communities to outdated stereotypes.
    — Oweesta, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Last May, a judge found a San Jose police officer’s use of a slur and a reference to ethnic stereotypes, during the arrest of a Romani man charged with kidnapping and domestic violence, constituted an RJA violation.
    — Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of stereotype
Noun
  • The white-washed undyed look on this impression of a Persian style gives it a cozy, rustic vibe.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Just like how someone that might have the wrong impression of me might be really positive.
    — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of impression
Noun
  • And one of my favorite things is looking at other people’s fan theories online.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 28 Feb. 2025
  • There are two main pieces of evidence in the theory running rampant in the comments.
    — Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of theory

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Cite this Entry

“Concept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concept. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on concept

Nglish: Translation of concept for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about concept

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