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
-
For the past two years the setting has been 90 seconds to midnight, with midnight meaning the theoretical annihilation of humanity, by design or by mistake.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA TODAY,
28 Jan. 2025
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These are no longer theoretical applications; pilot programs in cities like Amsterdam and Singapore are already proving their feasibility.—
Nick Herbert,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But tension quickly develops between Elizabeth and this perky new creation (Margaret Qualley), sparking a metaphysical battle that takes a toll on both of them.—
Scott Tobias,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Carlson’s images combust with metaphysical abundance.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
ARTnews.com,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Elsewhere, beauty this week was equal parts femme and freaky: nail art was sculptural, flipped and reversed, hair was piled high to make a poncy French monarch proud, and conceptual makeup took inspo from nature’s most ornate creatures.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2025
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There is a certain conceptual power in this, as though Shahverdi were shaping the filmmaking itself, though this approach has its limits.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Some were small enough to appear nearly abstract from a distance, while others were larger than life-size, their motifs instantly recognizable from across the room.—
Richard Meyer,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2025
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The bottom line: The ripple effects of Trump's tariffs may seem abstract and far off for many Americans, but that could change quickly.—
Jason Lalljee,
Axios,
31 Jan. 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
-
The ribbon-cutting for a new Libertyville facility for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities highlights the need for such services in a state with thousands of people stuck on a waitlist.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2025
-
It’s been largely overlooked, but the Palisades has its own rich intellectual history.—
Peter Kiefer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near ideational
Cite this Entry
“Ideational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ideational. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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