suggestion

[ suhg-jes-chuhn, suh- ]

noun

1. the act of suggesting.
2. the state of being suggested.
3. something suggested, as a piece of advice:

   We made the suggestion that she resign.

4. a slight trace:

   He speaks with a suggestion of a foreign accent.

5. the calling up in the mind of one idea by another by virtue of some association or of some natural connection between the ideas.
6. the idea thus called up.
7. Psychology.
   1. the process of inducing a thought, sensation, or action in a receptive person without using persuasion and without giving rise to reflection in the recipient.
   2. the thought, sensation, or action induced in this way.

suggestion

/ səˈdʒɛstʃən /

noun

1. something that is suggested
2. a hint or indication

   a suggestion of the odour of violets

3. psychol the process whereby the mere presentation of an idea to a receptive individual leads to the acceptance of that idea See also autosuggestion

Other Words From

• counter·sug·gestion noun
• nonsug·gestion noun
• presug·gestion noun
• self-sug·gestion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of suggestion¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English suggestio(u)n “incitement to evil,” from Medieval Latin suggestiōn-, stem of suggestiō, Latin: “addition, hint”; equivalent to suggest + -ion

Synonym Study

See advice.

Example Sentences

There is no suggestion this is a bruising split between ministers.

From BBC

More than half a dozen experts who spoke with The Times said Kennedy’s suggestions that the science around vaccines is unsound would undercut public health.

From Los Angeles Times

His recurring suggestion to cut government spending by a nearly a third, or $2 trillion, is outdone only by Ramaswamy's own proposal to cut as much as 75% of the federal workforce.

From Salon

The allegations come as Hegseth faces public scrutiny into a history of misogynistic comments, including his suggestion that women be banned from combat roles.

From Salon

But this suggestion has been dismissed by the Treasury, which said it had taken "a fair and balanced approach".

From BBC

Related Words

• approach
• charge
• idea
• instruction
• invitation
• motion
• opinion
• proposal
• proposition
• recommendation
• resolution
• tip

More About Suggestion

What does suggestion mean?

A suggestion is a proposal, piece of advice, or idea for consideration.

Suggestion is the noun form the verb suggest. Suggestion is often used with the verbs offer and make, as in the common question, Can I make a suggestion? 

In psychology, suggestion has a more specific meaning: the process in which the mere presentation of an idea to a receptive person leads to the acceptance of that idea.

Example: After explaining his new business plan, Tom told his colleagues that he was open to suggestions and other feedback.

Where does suggestion come from?

Beware of suggestions—the word comes from a Middle English term meaning “incitement to evil.” The first records of suggestion come from the 1300s. In fact, suggestion preceded the verb suggest in English. Both suggest and suggestion ultimately derive from the Latin verb suggerere, meaning “to build up, supply, hint, suggest.”

Suggestions are ideas, usually for how something should be done or how something could be improved. You probably make suggestions to your friends all the time about both big things (like where you think they should work) and small things (like where you should meet for dinner). Employees sometimes submit suggestions to the (often virtual) suggestion box at work, and companies often ask customers to send comments and suggestions. Suggestions are made to people who may or may not act on them—the word typically implies that it’s optional. To that end, when someone gives you advice but wants to emphasize that they’re not pressuring you to take it or act on it, they often end by saying just a suggestion. Someone who is willing to consider advice is said to be open to suggestions. Relatedly but less commonly, suggestion can be used to mean “a trace or hint of something,” as in The flavor of this chocolate has a faint suggestion of coffee. 

In psychology, suggestion refers to the practice of implanting an idea in the mind of someone, often simply by mentioning it. This is often done to influence the person’s actions or behavior. This sense is seen in the phrase the power of suggestion, which refers to how effective it can be.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to suggestion?

• suggest (verb)
• countersuggestion (noun)
• nonsuggestion (noun)
• presuggestion (noun)
• self-suggestion (noun)

What are some synonyms for suggestion?

• piece of advice
• idea
• recommendation
• proposal

What are some words that share a root or word element with suggestion? 

• suggestive

What are some words that often get used in discussing suggestion?

 

• advice
• make
• offer
• propose
• plan
• tip
• opinion

How is suggestion used in real life?

Suggestion is a very common word that’s used in many contexts. It’s often seen in phrases like here’s a suggestion, just a suggestion, and Can I make a suggestion?

Can I make a suggestion?

Pets are vital to help elderly & vulnerable people feel less isolated. No more so than now!

If their pet gets sick, they may need someone to take the pet for medical treatment.

One less worry… offer to assist if there's a future need! pic.twitter.com/EK0U4n7QWM

— David Gibson 🌊 #Covid19Kindness (@Uniquepoems4u) March 17, 2020

it's just a suggestion; every tweet is not an invitation to argument.

— Adam Serwer🍝 (@AdamSerwer) March 23, 2020

THE THIN PLACE at Playwrights Horizons is one of the scariest plays I’ve ever seen. Lucas Hnath channels Annie Baker’s JOHN and PERSONAL SHOPPER in an eerie oddity about the power of suggestion. Go!

— Richard Lawson (@rilaws) December 21, 2019

 

 

Try using suggestion!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of suggestion?

A. idea
B. proposal
C. order
D. recommendation