IDEA Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'idea' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of idea are conception , concept , 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)," 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

Q: When can 'concept' be used instead of 'idea'?

While the synonyms concept and idea are close in meaning, 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

Q: How are the words 'conception' and 'concept' related as synonyms of 'idea'?

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

Q: When would 'impression' be a good substitute for 'idea'?

The meanings of impression and idea largely overlap; however, impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses. // the first impression is of soaring height

Q: Where would 'notion' be a reasonable alternative to 'idea'?

The synonyms notion and idea are sometimes interchangeable, but notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental. // you have the oddest notions

Q: When is it sensible to use 'thought' instead of 'idea'?

The words thought and idea can be used in similar contexts, but thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining. // commit your thoughts to paper

idea

noun

ī-ˈdē-ə

Definition of idea next

as in concept

something imagined or pictured in the mind my idea of the perfect vacation spot is an uncrowded, unspoiled beach

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in model

someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation Helen Keller remains my idea of a person with indomitable spirit

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in purpose

something that one hopes or intends to accomplish the idea is to get the information without seeming to be nosy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun idea contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of idea are conception, concept, 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)," 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 can concept be used instead of idea?

While the synonyms concept and idea are close in meaning, 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 are the words conception and concept related as synonyms of idea?

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 would impression be a good substitute for idea?

The meanings of impression and idea largely overlap; however, 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 idea?

The synonyms notion and idea are sometimes interchangeable, 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 is it sensible to use thought instead of idea?

The words thought and idea can be used in similar contexts, but 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 idea This was supposed to be a clear week when Amorim could drill his ideas into his players, but calamity has come instead, topped off by a signal failure on the West Coast Mainline meaning the team had to travel to London by coach rather than train on Saturday. —

Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025 Abraham Lincoln’s Labor Theory of Value Abraham Lincoln was no Marxist, but his ideas about the relationship of labor and capital mirrored Marx’s in some ways—albeit with a rural American flavor. —

JSTOR Daily, 15 Feb. 2025 So my idea with per capita allotments has always been that'll control costs. —

Victoria Knight, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025 This idea that Palestinians are not expected to return echoes the exact same rhetoric that brought about the Trail of Tears. —

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for idea

Recent Examples of Synonyms for idea

Noun

As Season 4 got underway, Williams started sitting in on production meetings, tone meetings, concept meetings, and asking questions.

— Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2025
The agreement, formalized this past May, calls for the MWRD to pay for concept planning and preliminary engineering design while the Forest Preserves will pay for acquiring property.

— Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025