as in theoretical
dealing with or expressing a quality or idea
ideograms are ideational—they are meant to suggest some general idea and not a particular word or phrase
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 ideational
The ideational content of the image — a man killing another man on a public sidewalk — is only half the message.
—
F.k. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
The United States, of course, cannot share everything—physical or ideational—with its partners.
—Thomas G. Mahnken, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2024
This ideational convergence, deepened by two decades of accumulating trust between India and the United States, has enhanced the strategic partnership and set the stage for even closer cooperation in the future.
—Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2020
Steven Spielberg extends Griffith’s and Ford’s historical insight through an astonishing mix of visual and ideational dialectics.
—Armond White, National Review, 28 June 2023
Einstein’s theories as ideational relativism.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 3 May 2021
And the Trump Administration is taking concrete steps to encourage this ideational fusion.
—Time, 13 Dec. 2019
F.k. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025
The United States, of course, cannot share everything—physical or ideational—with its partners.
—Thomas G. Mahnken, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2024
This ideational convergence, deepened by two decades of accumulating trust between India and the United States, has enhanced the strategic partnership and set the stage for even closer cooperation in the future.
—Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2020
Steven Spielberg extends Griffith’s and Ford’s historical insight through an astonishing mix of visual and ideational dialectics.
—Armond White, National Review, 28 June 2023
Einstein’s theories as ideational relativism.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 3 May 2021
And the Trump Administration is taking concrete steps to encourage this ideational fusion.
—Time, 13 Dec. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ideational
Adjective
-
The Dutch theoretical physicist, now a professor emeritus at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, has spent much of the past half-century reshaping our understanding of the fundamental forces that knit together reality.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Legacy power grids, water systems and emergency response networks are no longer theoretical.—
Marty Sprinzen,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In the 19th century, philosophers and poets dabbled with it in the pursuit of metaphysical insights.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
-
To the north is Vulcan’s Forge, Russell’s custom jewelry operation; to the south is Aquarius, a new-age metaphysical store owned by Barbara.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Village of Wilmette’s Appearance Review Commission is expected to conduct a conceptual review of the plan at its April 7 meeting, Braiman said.—
Phil Rockrohr,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
-
That track does not appear on the album, which draws conceptual inspiration from poems contributed by the artist Nadia Marcus.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The stain-resistant rug features abstract, geometric patterns and varying shades of beige for a neutral, polished look.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Effective behavior change campaigns use storytelling to make abstract concepts relatable, turning passive awareness into active participation.—
Jacquelyn LaMar Berney,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Williamson said earlier this week that his hamstring is completely healed, but his mental state remains a work in progress.—
oregonlive,
oregonlive,
13 Apr. 2023
-
Sign up That Torrance pushed Vial and Eduardo to such mental anguish does not surprise immigrant-justice advocates.—
María Inés Taracena,
The New Republic,
12 Apr. 2023
Adjective
-
Iran has cultivated an astonishing intellectual and artistic depth with far fewer resources than many other nations.—
Rebecca Ruth Gould,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Framed as a biography of Jensen Huang, the only CEO Nvidia has ever had, the book is also something more interesting and revealing: a window onto the intellectual, cultural, and economic ecosystem that has led to the emergence of superpowerful AI.—
James Surowiecki,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ideational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideational. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share