conceive

Synonym Chooser

How is the word conceive distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of conceive are envisage, envision, fancy, imagine, realize, and think. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

How do envisage and envision relate to one another, in the sense of conceive?

Both envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed.

envisaged a totally computerized operation
envisioned a cure for the disease

When could fancy be used to replace conceive?

Although the words fancy and conceive have much in common, fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

In what contexts can imagine take the place of conceive?

While in some cases nearly identical to conceive, imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When would realize be a good substitute for conceive?

The synonyms realize and conceive are sometimes interchangeable, but realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

When can think be used instead of conceive?

In some situations, the words think and conceive are roughly equivalent. However, think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection.

I just thought of a good joke

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 conceive Disney Animation’s Moana 2, after being initially conceived for Disney+, then switched up for a theatrical release by Disney Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, will finally hit the service on March 12. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025 According to a paternity petition filed in the New York Supreme Court, St. Clair alleges the pair got into a romantic relationship in May 2023, and conceived a child in January 2024, in St. Barts. Alexandra Koch, Fox News, 23 Feb. 2025 According to User Mag, which first reported the news, St. Clair claims she and the 53-year-old Tesla honcho began a romantic relationship in May 2023 before conceiving R.S.C. in January of last year. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2025 It was originally conceived during the Eisenhower administration and later championed by President John F. Kennedy. E. Andrew Taylor, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conceive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceive
Verb
  • Like, imagine how different the world would be if police officers had this same energy for, say, the NYPD, killing hundreds of civilian complaints accusing the department of misconduct.
    Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Just imagining who could play Colman Smith in a TV or movie version of Pixie is enough to seriously excite the producers strutting the Olympia halls.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The real stories of the game and its people from someone who lives it and understands it better than any member of the media who has never played the game ever could.
    Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • To better understand these temperature swings, the researchers plugged this data into a computer model they fine-tuned to match the spacecraft's landing conditions, including local topography and illumination.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Freedom girls head coach Mike Bush thought Clermont’s 2024 finish led to Saturday’s win.
    Steve Gorches, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025
  • At first, paramedics thought the dog wanted to play.
    Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • However, the late Buss had always envisioned Jeanie and Magic Johnson running the Lakers together one day—a reality that eventually occurred in 2017 when Jeanie replaced her older sibling with the legendary point guard to turn around six straight losing seasons.
    Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
  • SpaceX envisions the spacecraft as being a fully reusable transportation system that can carry both humans and cargo to Earth's orbit, the moon and even Mars.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • What feels new is the expectation, on the part of both makers and audiences, that there is such a thing as knowing definitively what a work of art means or stands for, aesthetically and politically.
    Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
  • By 1988, the group, known for its new jack swing style, released its debut album, Who?.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Venable believes the prospects gained experiences that will aid them and the club in the future.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Authorities do not believe that Thompson was present when John Blauvelt murdered Cati Blauvelt.
    James Stolz, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Hearn was also seen shoving rival promoter Ben Shalom as chaos reigned on stage.
    Ben Church, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Other braids seen on the runway included messy, pulled out pigtails and tiny face-framing plaits.
    Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Virgo Since the planet of communication is giving you a chance to see matters differently, read between the lines to comprehend people’s motives.
    Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Customers typically seek support when frustrated, angry or confused—emotions that chatbots cannot comprehend or address with empathy.
    Danny Asnani, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceive. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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