Thesaurus results for ENVISAGE

Q: How is the word 'envisage' distinct from other similar verbs?

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

Q: When is 'conceive' a more appropriate choice than 'envisage'?

The synonyms conceive and envisage are sometimes interchangeable, but conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design. // conceived of a new marketing approach

Q: In what contexts can 'fancy' take the place of 'envisage'?

The words fancy and envisage can be used in similar contexts, but fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires. // fancied himself a super athlete

Q: When might 'imagine' be a better fit than 'envisage'?

While the synonyms imagine and envisage are close in meaning, imagine stresses a visualization. // imagine you're at the beach

Q: When could 'realize' be used to replace 'envisage'?

The meanings of realize and envisage largely overlap; however, realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined. // realized the enormity of the task ahead

Q: Where would 'think' be a reasonable alternative to 'envisage'?

Although the words think and envisage have much in common, 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

envisage

verb

in-ˈvi-zij

Definition of envisage next

as in to imagine

to form a mental picture of I'm trying to envisage you on a surfboard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word envisage distinct from other similar verbs?

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

The synonyms conceive and envisage are sometimes interchangeable, but conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

In what contexts can fancy take the place of envisage?

The words fancy and envisage can be used in similar contexts, 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 envisage?

While the synonyms imagine and envisage are close in meaning, imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When could realize be used to replace envisage?

The meanings of realize and envisage largely overlap; however, realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

Where would think be a reasonable alternative to envisage?

Although the words think and envisage have much in common, 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 envisage The deal, which made Omnicom the world’s largest ad company by revenue, is now expected to generate cost savings exceeding the $750 million originally envisaged, executives said. —

Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025 Winning all their matches is not their ultimate goal for their under-19s, but losing all six games was not envisaged either. —

Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025 The biography Benjamin envisaged would have explained Goethe’s political nihilism and his escape into nature as equally the products of his will and of the intricate machinery of the world. —

Merve Emre, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025 The plan would envisage the construction of larger capital ships between 15,000–20,000 tons. —

Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for envisage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for envisage

Verb

Bagehot and other upholders of depoliticizing enchantments could not have imagined a scenario in which Andrew, once second in line for the throne, and Larry Summers, a former Ivy League president hailed as one of America’s leading public intellectuals, are caught up in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

— Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Some of that was real, some of it was exaggerated, some of it was just imagined — and all of it became a potent, highly motivating political narrative.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026