What are 10 examples of connotation?

Answered by Stephen Mosley

Here are 10 examples of connotation:

1. Stench, smell, aroma, scent, odor: These words all refer to the sense of smell, but each carries a slightly different connotation. “Stench” implies a strong, unpleasant odor, while “aroma” suggests a pleasant or enticing smell.

2. Strong, tough, sturdy, hard: These words describe physical strength or durability, but they have different connotations. “Strong” implies power and resilience, while “tough” suggests resilience in the face of adversity. “Sturdy” emphasizes stability and reliability, and “hard” can imply difficulty or resistance.

3. Proud, confident, arrogant, egotistical: These words describe a sense of self-assurance, but their connotations differ. “Proud” carries a positive connotation, suggesting a healthy sense of accomplishment. “Confident” implies self-assurance without arrogance. “Arrogant” suggests an excessive and unwarranted sense of superiority, while “egotistical” implies excessive self-centeredness.

4. Childish, childlike, young, youthful: These words relate to youth or immaturity, but they carry different connotations. “Childish” implies immaturity or behavior typical of a child in a negative or immature way. “Childlike” suggests innocence or wonderment. “Young” simply refers to being in the early stages of life, while “youthful” implies energy, vitality, and a positive outlook.

5. Rich, loaded, privileged, wealthy, affluent: These words describe having a lot of money or resources, but each conveys a different connotation. “Rich” and “wealthy” are generally neutral terms, while “loaded” and “affluent” suggest abundance or excess. “Privileged” implies having advantages or opportunities due to social status or wealth.

6. Broke, poor, impoverished: These words describe a lack of financial resources, but their connotations differ. “Broke” typically means having no money or being financially struggling temporarily. “Poor” implies a long-term lack of resources or living in poverty. “Impoverished” suggests extreme poverty or deprivation.

7. Frugal, economical, stingy, cheap: These words relate to spending habits, but their connotations vary. “Frugal” suggests being thrifty or careful with money in a positive way. “Economical” implies making efficient use of resources. “Stingy” has a negative connotation, suggesting unwillingness to share or be generous. “Cheap” implies a lack of quality or value.

8. Tempting, attractive, interesting: These words describe qualities that appeal to people, but their connotations differ. “Tempting” implies something that is alluring or enticing. “Attractive” suggests physical or aesthetic appeal. “Interesting” implies capturing attention or sparking curiosity.

9. Brave, courageous, fearless: These words describe a lack of fear or willingness to face danger, but their connotations vary. “Brave” and “courageous” are generally positive, suggesting admirable qualities. “Fearless” implies an absence of fear, often in a daring or bold way.

10. Love, adore, cherish: These words relate to deep affection or attachment, but their connotations differ. “Love” is a broad term encompassing various forms of affection. “Adore” suggests intense admiration or affection. “Cherish” implies valuing and holding dear something or someone.

I hope these examples help illustrate the nuances of connotation!