Some synonyms for denotation are: meaning, definition
Explanation:
It always helps to have a clear idea of what <em>denotation </em>and <em>connotation </em>are.
While <em>connotation </em>refers to the <u>personal </u>significance that a word may have for a person or a specific group of people, <em>denotation </em>refers to the very <u>literal </u>definition of any given word, the dictionary definition that works as a neutral for the vast majority of people.