Synonym Chooser

How is the word think distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of think are conceive, envisage, envision, fancy, imagine, and realize. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," 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

When is it sensible to use conceive instead of think?

Although the words conceive and think have much in common, 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 think?

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 is fancy a more appropriate choice than think?

The synonyms fancy and think are sometimes interchangeable, but fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

When might imagine be a better fit than think?

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

imagine you're at the beach

When can realize be used instead of think?

In some situations, the words realize and think are roughly equivalent. However, realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

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 think It was then put to Tuchel that the show’s host Adrian Durham has friends who think England would be better off without Bellingham in the team, referring to that domineering personality. Tim Spiers, New York Times, 13 June 2025 What anybody thinks about you is none of your business. Daniela Avila, People.com, 13 June 2025 Designing and planning your garden requires thinking about when and what to grow. Lauren David, Southern Living, 1 June 2025 The fire is thought to have originated from natural causes. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • Critics have voiced concern over suicide contagion, a phenomenon where increased exposure to suicide is believed to trigger suicidal behavior in others, and what the legislation means for the deaths of patients struggling with depression.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
  • Local officials said recovery efforts were ongoing, with at least 200 people believed to have died.
    Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • The wild speculation quickly unfurled, with fans guessing that Gallagher may have been hinting at warm-up gigs or additional dates.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 June 2025
  • But because of her quiet disposition, her grandchildren never would have guessed it.
    Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Often hailed as the definitive screen version, this series perfectly captured the turning point in Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s romance and brought to life the very estate many imagined from the novel’s descriptions.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 June 2025
  • In an exclusive clip from the film (below), the jury tries to retrace Sophie’s steps, and imagine her state of mind, on the night she was murdered.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • Audiences will witness the events that fractured the bond between Gojo, often considered the most powerful sorcerer in the series, and Geto, who would later become a formidable antagonist.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 10 June 2025
  • The practices once reserved for the Baloch, considered lesser citizens, are now expanding to other parts of Pakistan.
    Mahrang Baloch, Time, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • The trick is to find a way for the listeners and the viewers to feel sufficiently informed.
    Eric Lach, New Yorker, 8 June 2025
  • When leadership and management trust their workers to make good decisions, those workers feel empowered.
    Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on think

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!