Synonym Chooser

How is the word realize distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of realize are conceive, envisage, envision, fancy, imagine, and think. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

When might conceive be a better fit than realize?

While the synonyms conceive and realize are close in meaning, conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

How are the words envisage and envision related as synonyms of realize?

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

Where would fancy be a reasonable alternative to realize?

The words fancy and realize are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

When can imagine be used instead of realize?

The words imagine and realize can be used in similar contexts, but imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When would think be a good substitute for realize?

The synonyms think and realize are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 realize Imagine what could be achieved if the full potential were realized. Sarah Gledhill, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025 When an 83-year-old patient came to him in December for a cleaning, Ross and his staff realized the man was struggling to clean his teeth properly. Tracy Harmon, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025 After a year and a half of contract brewing, the brothers realized their dream. Noel Burgess, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 That could negate savings realized from his plans to cut spending, cut taxes and increase fossil fuel drilling licenses. David Goldman, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for realize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for realize
Verb
  • The feature-length doc will explore how Falco, part of the largest species of owl in the world, was discovered missing from his cage at the Central Park Zoo in Manhattan.
    Addie Morfoot, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The application of anti-D in fighting hemolytic disease of the newborn was not discovered until the 1960s.
    TIME, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers.
    Olivia Lidbury, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2025
  • He’s struggled with injury and earns a lot of money.
    Callum Booth, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Giants should see both of them in the Cactus League, and maybe they’ll be impressed.
    Grant Brisbee, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Austria saw some success with this rule, but Australia did not.
    Aldo Flores-Quiroga, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Companies Embracing Small Language Models Forward-thinking companies are already reaping the benefits of SLMs.
    Balaji Dhamodharan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Crawford is also reaping the benefits from billionaire George Soros, Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL), and Gloria Page, the mother of Google co-founder Larry Page, as well as LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.
    Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Martinez learned she’d been fired in the last four minutes of her shift on Feb. 14.
    Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Going head-to-head against powerful forces of the warehousing status quo isn’t for the faint-hearted, but the lessons learned from succeeding can be transformative.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In related hiring, transportation and warehousing employment gained 18,000 jobs in February.
    Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 7 Mar. 2025
  • In February, the overall government sector gained only 11,000 jobs, the lowest monthly total since April 2024.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • When people hear about large groups of people in class action cases, those people are typically identified in the discovery process, where the business will produce information and documents identifying people who have been similarly harmed.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Employees hear a buzzword tossed around in meetings, managers champion it in company emails, and yet many workers roll their eyes.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Although their opponents are on a streak of ten major ICC ODI wins on the trot, this Indian XI is very much on a mission.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, and gave one of the night’s most passionate and powerful speeches.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on realize

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