thought 1 of 2

noun

ˈthȯt How to pronounce thought (audio)
Definition of thoughtnext
1
as in idea
something imagined or pictured in the mind I just had a thought: what if we both pitched in and bought him one big present instead of two smaller presents for his birthday?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in consideration
a careful weighing of the reasons for or against something I'll give your request some thought and then let you know what my decision is

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

thought

2 of 2

verb

past tense of think
as in believed
to have as an opinion I think we should wait for someone to come help us out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun thought contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of thought are conception, concept, idea, impression, and notion. While all these words mean "what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan)," thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

When might concept be a better fit than thought?

The words concept and thought are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

How do conception and concept relate to one another, in the sense of thought?

Conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

When is it sensible to use idea instead of thought?

Although the words idea and thought have much in common, idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas
my idea of paradise

When would impression be a good substitute for thought?

The synonyms impression and thought are sometimes interchangeable, but impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

In what contexts can notion take the place of thought?

While in some cases nearly identical to thought, notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

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 thought
Noun
Want to stay up to date on IndieWire’s film reviews and critical thoughts? —Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2025 Jaonaay spent three to four months with producer Karn of Yented crafting the modern R&B track, which captures the sleepless nights and racing thoughts of new love. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
Indeed, the prompt discovery of 'Oumuamua suggests that interstellar objects may be an order of magnitude more abundant than formerly thought. —Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Damien Iehlen, 53, was thought to be the first fatality in October 2008, according to the BBC. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thought
  1. idea
  2. consideration
  3. believed
  4. concept
  5. deliberation
  6. guessed
  7. impression
  8. figured
Noun
  • As a public institution, UVU upholds First Amendment rights and fosters an environment where ideas – popular or controversial – can be exchanged freely, energetically, and civilly.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Some ideas came from experience.
    — Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of idea
Noun
  • With tuition at some universities now topping $100,000 a year, ROI has become a central consideration, even among high-earning households.
    — Liz Doe Stone, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • There are domestic political considerations for Nvidia, too.
    — Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of consideration
Verb
  • Messages Robinson is believed to have sent on Discord stated a need to retrieve a rifle from a pick-up point, leaving the rifle in a bush, watching the area where a rifle was left and having wrapped the rifle in a towel, according to the affidavit.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The driver of the SUV was transported to an area hospital with injuries police believed to be not life-threatening.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of believed
Noun
  • In 2020, however, Biglari’s criticism of Cracker Barrel was reignited after the company’s $133 million investment in Punch Bowl Social, a bar and entertainment concept, in 2019, failed during the pandemic.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
  • In his new concept, Metropolis, located at the World Trade Center campus, his team is made up entirely of women of color in leadership roles.
    — Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of concept
Noun
  • On Thursday, opening the fifth day of the coup trial deliberations, Justice Carmén Lúcia voted to convict Bolsonaro.
    — Adriana Carranca, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Last year, another San Diego jury acquitted Chambers of first-degree murder but deadlocked after more than three days of deliberation on lesser counts of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.
    — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of deliberation
Verb
  • So Nick flew by himself on a United Airlines flight that Wil guessed contained more packages than humans.
    — Grace Raynor, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Few would have guessed that the guardians of whiskey and beer would be the ones showing us the way into the THC future.
    — Robert Hoban, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of guessed
Noun
  • Still, that didn’t dull the impression left on a young Vitale.
    — Mahoro Seward, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Fat Bear Week, reaching 1 million voters online and hundreds of millions of impressions collectively through print, TV and online media, is a striking example of how digital platforms can amplify conservation awareness far beyond the park’s borders.
    — Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of impression
Verb
  • The offense, under McDaniels, will continue to morph its identity week-to-week, and the coaches simply figured that running a store-brand version of a Shanahan offense was their best course against a bad Dolphins defense.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Sailing stripes figured as a tank dresses and sleeveless collared shirts.
    — Blue Carreon, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of figured

Phrases Containing thought

Browse Nearby Words

though
thought
thought (about or over)
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Cite this Entry

“Thought.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thought. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on thought

Nglish: Translation of thought for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thought

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