NOTE Synonyms: 412 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'note' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of note are mark , sign , symptom , and token . While all these words mean "a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible," note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic. // a note of irony in her writing

Q: When could 'mark' be used to replace 'note'?

The words mark and note can be used in similar contexts, but mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance. // a mark of a good upbringing

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sign' instead of 'note'?

The words sign and note are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason. // encouraging signs for the economy

Q: Where would 'symptom' be a reasonable alternative to 'note'?

In some situations, the words symptom and note are roughly equivalent. However, symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition. // rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay

Q: In what contexts can 'token' take the place of 'note'?

The meanings of token and note largely overlap; however, token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible. // this gift is a token of our esteem

note 1 of 2

verb

ˈnōt

Definition of note

as in to comment

to make a statement of one's opinion I'd like to note that I don't care for that tone of voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to record

to make a written note of a waitress hurriedly noting our orders

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to notice

to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes note the artist's rendering of the trees, how their leaves seem to dance in the wind

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to mention

to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically the lecturer noted several sources where listeners could go for further information

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to follow

to take notice of and be guided by please note that the office will be closed tomorrow

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

note

2 of 2

noun

as in memo

a usually brief written reminder I'll make a note to myself so I don't forget to pick up some milk on the way home

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in letter

a message on paper from one person or group to another write a friendly note to the neighbors asking them to keep the noise down

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as in cry

a natural vocal sound made by an animal can you distinguish between the notes of the whippoorwill and the mockingbird?

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in bill

a piece of printed paper used as money in the United States will you be paying in coins or notes?

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as in aura

a special quality or impression associated with something spoke with a note of irritation in her voice

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as in reputation

overall quality as seen or judged by people in general a writer of note among readers of modern poetry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in remark

a briefly expressed opinion let me read a few notes I jotted down while you were auditioning

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as in attention

a state of being aware during my long convalescence I had taken note of which friends had helped me and which ones had found other things to do

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in feature

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind an intense, full-bodied red wine with all of the spicy notes for which that grape variety is famous

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word note distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of note are mark, sign, symptom, and token. While all these words mean "a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible," note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic.

a note of irony in her writing

When could mark be used to replace note?

The words mark and note can be used in similar contexts, but mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance.

a mark of a good upbringing

When is it sensible to use sign instead of note?

The words sign and note are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason.

encouraging signs for the economy

Where would symptom be a reasonable alternative to note?

In some situations, the words symptom and note are roughly equivalent. However, symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition.

rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay

In what contexts can token take the place of note?

The meanings of token and note largely overlap; however, token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible.

this gift is a token of our esteem

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 note

Verb

The committee also noted that political attacks against judges and international law itself are becoming more commonplace. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Voting rights groups had challenged the effort, noting federal data includes errors that have led to citizens being wrongly removed from electoral rolls. — Patrick Marley, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Noun

Shotwell has been the only donor to announce a major stock gift, the Wall Street Journal reported, but Treasury notes show others have expressed interest in similar donations. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 It’s been a pretty no-notes year thus far for Slayyyter, yet her new song finds her with one big problem on her mind. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for note

Recent Examples of Synonyms for note

Verb

How extensive that process was is unclear since Stuart Romanoff, the board president, declined to comment.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 Oct. 2026
LeBron James has spent years commenting on presidential politics, policing, and race all in favor of Democratic positions.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of comment

Verb

Damage to refineries and disrupted shipping from the wars in Iran and Ukraine have pushed diesel to record highs in many markets, feeding directly into trucking, farming, and freight costs.

— Heather Occhino, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
So strong was the Chicks’ commercial pull that their 2002 album Home—a trend-averse acoustic bluegrass album essentially recorded in secret—became a gargantuan hit, with two of its songs reaching the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of record

Verb

In the early 1980s, while researching his screenplay of Scarface in Miami, Oliver noticed not only the rise of cocaine, but of a young, emerging millionaire class.

— Michael Douglas, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
General Daily Insight for October 08, 2026 Today favors noticing what could work better without turning every imperfection into a crisis.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of notice

Verb

Donald is effectively taking on the gig first mentioned to Deadline earlier this year by global productions chief Matt Forde, although at that point the role was more solely focused on scouting IP.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
But Rankin does mention a thuggish figure named Kodama Yoshio, who worked for Japanese spy agencies in China while trading in narcotics and smuggled goods.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of mention

Verb

But following public pushback over data center projects in Hazle Township and surrounding areas, Shapiro walked back the permissive AI infrastructure policies.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
The producers’ MoU follows the film co-production accord already in place at government level between Italy and South Korea.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of follow

Noun

The message comes following Tuesday morning’s memo from David Ellison, chairman and CEO, and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz, which acknowledged that layoffs will be part of the process of integrating the two companies.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Former Superintendent Crystal Hill alleged in a memo before she was fired that those payments were authorized without a direct CMS contract in place.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of memo

Noun

The couple was issued letters that recommend disciplinary action following a sustained policy violation, Brent Weisberg, a spokesman for the Department of Public Safety, confirmed Friday.

— Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026
Then send them a letter, an email, or even better, deliver the letter in person and read it to them.

— Clare Marie Schneider, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of letter

Noun

Over cries of foul from those who came in person, the board’s attorney Shayla Myers announced the meeting was canceled because the Zoom channel had a capacity of only 1,000.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Angry but empathetic, frank in its darkness but refusing to wallow in it, Tip Toe is a cry of frustration that cuts right to the heart.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of cry

Cite this Entry

Style

“Note.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/note. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of note

verb

noun

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