conceive

verb

kən-ˈsēv How to pronounce conceive (audio)
Definition of conceivenext
1
as in to imagine
to form a mental picture of it takes an idealist to conceive a world without war, and an activist to make it happen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to understand
to have a clear idea of I cannot conceive the reason for such pointless vandalism

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to think
to have as an opinion I just can't conceive that he would have lied

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Originally conceived in the late 1950s as an ambitious shopping mall, the project was never completed and was later repurposed by security forces. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026 Belmond recently added eight new suites to the VSOE, each conceived and crafted by French designers and artisans to reflect the landscapes—forests, mountains, lakes—the train passes through. —Shamilee Vellu, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2026 TheaterWorks Hartford’s producing artistic director Rob Ruggiero co-conceived the project with Lamarre and Mezzocchi and is actively involved in its production. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026 O'Hara provided the voices of Sally and Shock in 1993's The Nightmare Before Christmas, which Burton conceived and produced, and also lent her voice to several characters in 2012's Frankenweenie, which Burton directed. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conceive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceive
  1. imagine
  2. understand
  3. think
  4. envision
  5. know
  6. believe
  7. see
  8. comprehend
Verb
  • Her bodice-ripping, visually sumptuous version, in theaters Friday, incorporates some essential literary elements, but also imagines what’s in between the lines of Brontë’s writing, including sultry moments between the protagonists.
    — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • From the kitchen comes an equally elegant menu of classics – think gorgeous local steaks, terrines and roasted Amish chicken plated with cockles – imagined with creativity and a deep understanding of European technique seen through a Tennessee lens.
    — USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of imagine
Verb
  • The collar will help scientists understand the movement patterns and reproductive behavior of the Sierra Nevada red fox, providing key insights to guide conservation efforts.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Those many Americans who still understand that freedom is the magic elixir that drives growth and prosperity are exiting blue states, leaving them to stew in their left-wing, socialist, low-growth and low-opportunity juices.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of understand
Verb
  • People think, oh, this is just a nepotism situation.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Lindsey showed that people can do it a lot longer than anybody thought.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of think
Verb
  • It’s envisioned as a regional draw capable of hosting youth hockey, skating events, tournaments and other large indoor gatherings.
    — Kendrick Calfee February 14, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Kottikollon does not envision guests arriving for an annual weeklong retreat only to return to daily life unchanged.
    — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of envision
Verb
  • Bass, who was politically weakened by her performance during the fire and its aftermath, was already facing more than two dozen challengers looking to oust her in the June 2 primary — the vast majority little known to the public and not expected to pose any threat.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • One note e-mailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included information that only the abductor would know, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of know
Verb
  • Like many others in his community, Awad believes the Israeli government intentionally neglects crime perpetrated against Palestinian citizens.
    — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Last Thursday, the league issued a $500,000 fine to the Utah Jazz and a $100,000 penalty to the Indiana Pacers for sitting healthy players, believing their apparent tanking actions compromised the league's competitive integrity.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of believe
Verb
  • In one of several photos included in the 3 million new Epstein files, Mountbatten-Windsor is seen kneeling on all fours over an unidentified woman on the ground.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
  • During the Super Bowl halftime show, the casita made an appearance again, and this time, the world would see its interior for the first time.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Definition of see
Verb
  • What’s more, humans appreciate experiences like emotions in ways AI may never comprehend.
    — Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Time for a list of Movies That Live in Our Memories for Indefinable Reasons—a category that AI could neither generate nor comprehend, because loving movies is the province only of humans.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of comprehend

Browse Nearby Words

conceivably
conceive
conceived
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Cite this Entry

“Conceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceive. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on conceive

Nglish: Translation of conceive for Spanish Speakers

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