thought 1 of 2

thought

2 of 2

verb

past tense of think

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
Listen to this article LAS VEGAS – Three thoughts on San Diego State’s 74-67 loss at UNLV on Tuesday night: 1. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025 The viral video has amassed over 2,200 responses so far, as many took to the comments section to share their thoughts. Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
Some of the rules, like only having one serve, should also give tennis pause for thought about whether there are elements of UTS that would work well on the main tour. Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024 The system as envisioned in the First Amendment, that the government cannot interfere with the freedom of the press, is working precisely as the Founders thought. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 24 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for thought
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thought
Noun
  • Bellas said the parks department would take Thursday’s public comments into consideration.
    Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Ong, 79, also consented to have a second charge taken into consideration for the purposes of sentencing at a court hearing scheduled on April 2, according to a statement from Hotel Properties, in which the tycoon serves as managing director.
    Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Chip and Joanna Gaines seem to have different ideas of fun at amusement parks!
    Charna Flam, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • This is about helping people feel ownership of ideas, and motivating them to move forward.
    Scott Mautz, Contributor, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Estimates of Gaza’s Christian population range from roughly 800 to more than 1,000, although hundreds are believed to have left for Egypt, Canada and Australia since the war began.
    Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Bells in the church, with a gold cross on its steeple visible on Broadway and surrounding blocks, are believed to be more than 170 years old.
    Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Two Israeli officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said the government believed that with the aid and goods that entered the enclave in recent months and during the temporary ceasefire, there were enough supplies in Gaza for several more months.
    DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, arkansasonline.com, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Journalists reviewed documents, including procurement organizations’ policies on skipping patients, private complaints filed by doctors and internal records of deliberations among leaders of the transplant system.
    Brian M. Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In 1920, the initial concept transformed into the modern-day, red Michelin Guide, and stars for fine dining began in 1926.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Xiaomi’s Camera Mod Could Upgrade Phone Photography Photograph: Simon Hill Aside from its main announcements, Xiaomi granted us a sneak peek at a new modular concept camera phone.
    Simon Hill, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Strong passwords that are not easily guessed and/or a password manager.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg guessed Jason Derulo.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The white-washed undyed look on this impression of a Persian style gives it a cozy, rustic vibe.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Just like how someone that might have the wrong impression of me might be really positive.
    Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • More important, the notion of having U.S. mining operations on or near the border between the Ukraine and Russia, especially the bord is with its occupied Ukrainian territory, to serve as a deterrence to future military action is hardly going to appeal to most private companies.
    Michael Lynch, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • What Fuller did, however, was challenge this notion, Powell said.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025

Cite this Entry

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

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