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
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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
-
This transition from theoretical to practical confrontation is all but debilitating, as the grieving father reaches the limits of his empathy.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2025
-
These regulations and safety measures are not just theoretical.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Given the baroque language of the text, not to mention the metaphysical events within the narrative itself, Dieter’s exact exploits remain open for interpretation.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 Feb. 2025
-
As in Dante, the metaphysical landscape is taken seriously and is carefully documented, as if the reader might someday go there and need to know the rules.—
Elisa Gonzalez,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Thankfully, my mother held on to a majority of my childhood relics, including handwritten movie reviews, conceptual magazines, comics and lots of artwork — all tinged with my angsty ’90s spirit.—
Jennifer Sodini,
Rolling Stone,
24 Feb. 2025
-
One Japanese economist runs a conceptual clock that counts down to his country’s final child: the current readout is January 5, 2720.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The costs of an aging and diminished society feel more abstract.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Justice, in this context, is not merely an abstract ideal.—
Gyunduz Mamedov,
TIME,
24 Feb. 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
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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
-
Much of my methodology was to start with deep intellectual research in books and visual guides, and then moving on to exploring Thailand firsthand in the physical world.—
Jim Halterman,
IndieWire,
24 Feb. 2025
-
This will have devastating consequences for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities — individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.—
Courier-News,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ideational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideational. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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