* Connotation refers to the emotional associations, cultural implications, or subjective meanings that a word carries beyond its literal definition.
Let's look at some options:
* Denotation: This is the literal dictionary definition of a word. It's the opposite of connotation.
* Implication: While implication suggests something is hinted at or understood, it doesn't necessarily focus on the emotional or cultural baggage a word carries.
* Suggestion: Similar to implication, a suggestion can be a hint, but it doesn't capture the full range of connotation.
* Subtext: This comes closest to connotation. Subtext refers to the underlying meaning or message that is not explicitly stated. It's often tied to emotions and implied feelings.
* Association: This is a close match! Association is a word that directly describes the link between a word and its emotional or cultural connections.
Therefore, the best synonym for connotation is association.
Example:
* Denotation: The word "home" denotes a place of residence.
* Connotation: The word "home" connotes feelings of comfort, security, and love.
* Association: The word "home" is associated with warmth, family, and belonging.