as in senses
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action
didn't understand all the technical jargon, but got the general import of the speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in matters
to be of importance
it imports little whether you like Grandma's gift; you should have graciously thanked her
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in means
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind
the word "freedom" can import different things to different people
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 imports
Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
However, the Asian giant remains dependent on imports to power its reactors.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
As Chinese companies hoover up high-end chips needed for artificial intelligence, imports are set to jump to a five-year high of 5% in 2026, according to the median estimate of 17 economists polled by Bloomberg this month.
—Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
The state is also heavily reliant on electric power imports, importing 62,157 gigawatt hours of power in 2024 with 15 percent of those imports coming from nuclear power plants in other states.
—Paige Lambermont, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
But only a tiny fraction (roughly 7%) of US energy imports ship through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Brzeski said the war has underscored Germany's heavy dependence on energy imports.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Trade group sees problem in refund system There is a separate dispute over who should receive refunds in cases where surety bonds were issued for imports but the importer or broker failed to pay the tariff.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 Apr. 2026
China is heavily reliant on Iranian oil imports.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The International Energy Agency and airports industry group ACI Europe have both warned that Europe, which imports around 70% of its jet fuel supply, could see shortages of the fuel in the coming weeks.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Japan imports nearly all of its oil and gas and the war with Iran has raised worries over disruptions of oil shipments from the Middle East.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
The company imports cigars and accessories from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
—Mae Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
The continent — which is still heavily reliant on oil and gas — imports the majority of its fuels, and soaring costs have already hammered regional economies.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 17 Apr. 2026
The head of Learning Resources, which imports toys and educational materials and which won the Supreme Court case against emergency tariffs, opposed the new round of duties on imports.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Since then, Jihad says the group no longer imports any electronics.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 12 Apr. 2026
The increases follow tariffs that were also a significant expense, because the company imports coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter and other ingredients.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
The conflict has highlighted Africa’s reliance on fuel imports and the knock-on-effect of higher prices and currency pressure.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
However, the Asian giant remains dependent on imports to power its reactors.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
As Chinese companies hoover up high-end chips needed for artificial intelligence, imports are set to jump to a five-year high of 5% in 2026, according to the median estimate of 17 economists polled by Bloomberg this month.
—Bloomberg, 26 Apr. 2026
The state is also heavily reliant on electric power imports, importing 62,157 gigawatt hours of power in 2024 with 15 percent of those imports coming from nuclear power plants in other states.
—Paige Lambermont, Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026
But only a tiny fraction (roughly 7%) of US energy imports ship through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Brzeski said the war has underscored Germany's heavy dependence on energy imports.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Trade group sees problem in refund system There is a separate dispute over who should receive refunds in cases where surety bonds were issued for imports but the importer or broker failed to pay the tariff.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 Apr. 2026
China is heavily reliant on Iranian oil imports.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
Despite vast oil reserves, the country imports between 30 million to 60 million liters of gasoline per day to cover a domestic shortfall of up to 35 million liters.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The International Energy Agency and airports industry group ACI Europe have both warned that Europe, which imports around 70% of its jet fuel supply, could see shortages of the fuel in the coming weeks.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Japan imports nearly all of its oil and gas and the war with Iran has raised worries over disruptions of oil shipments from the Middle East.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
The company imports cigars and accessories from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
—Mae Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
The continent — which is still heavily reliant on oil and gas — imports the majority of its fuels, and soaring costs have already hammered regional economies.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 17 Apr. 2026
The head of Learning Resources, which imports toys and educational materials and which won the Supreme Court case against emergency tariffs, opposed the new round of duties on imports.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Since then, Jihad says the group no longer imports any electronics.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 12 Apr. 2026
The increases follow tariffs that were also a significant expense, because the company imports coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter and other ingredients.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imports
Noun
-
But fights are just as integral to the Netflix show created by Lee Sung Jin, and the series’ sound team needed to do even more meticulous work building visceral senses of anger, stress, and dread that slowly swallow up the characters and steer them into making a compounding set of poor decisions.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
-
And there’s nothing like the disorienting effect of standing in darkness in an unfamiliar place to quicken the senses and sharpen the ear.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
August 23 – September 22 Clarity matters most today when money or responsibilities come up.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
However, Cunningham says consistency matters more than materials when choosing the best bedroom flooring.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bacon notes the Department of Corrections receives almost all its money from the general fund so more money for corrections means less for education, transportation, and Medicaid.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Keep in mind, tulips require full sun, which means at least six hours of bright, direct sunlight a day.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
It’s also outfitted with three interior compartments to keep your wallet, phone, keys, and other contents organized on the go.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
-
To push back on its contents, Stewart recorded an interview with House on Thursday, April 16.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Skylee has brown eyes, black hair, standing about 5-foot-4 and weighs about 120 pounds.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
All three edges are undersized (below 255 pounds), and Reese weighs 241 pounds.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The cancellation of the Louisiana event implies that there might be more uncertainty there than O’Neil has been willing to admit.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
But that quote implies the chaos always works in the opposite direction to the plan.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Confusion and multiple meanings In a 2020 study, Barnett and his colleague Zoe Doubleday analyzed 24 million scientific article titles and 18 million abstracts published between 1950 and 2019, tracking trends in acronym use.—
Clarissa Brincat,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But according to Wikipedia, which naturally has an entry about the term, two further meanings do exist.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Red Sox were held to three or fewer runs in 15 of their first 26 games, and seven of the club’s 10 lineup regulars had an OPS+ of less than 100, which signifies below league-average offensive production.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Summer signifies les grandes vacances, when the French take off parts of July and the entire month of August to flit to their country homes or the coast.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imports.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imports. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
