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

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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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 Tartus and the newer Hmeimim ultimately never realized the full strategic potential Moscow not long ago envisaged for them. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 That said, Auriga initially envisaged using kinetic projectiles that would strike drones directly. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026 The plan sets limits on how the river would be operated, and envisages water shortages of up to 3 million acre-feet per year in the three Lower Basin states. — Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026 Global is confident that the show has already been renewed for a second season and Abrams said it was envisaged to return multiple times. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for envisage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for envisage

Verb

Of course, one point made in the song is that nearly every American has immigrants in the family tree, however much some nationalists may like to imagine a United States that began with certain demographics in place.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
On every other dimension, however, the Cuban state is weaker than most foreign observers realize—both those on the right, who imagine an anti-American leviathan, and those on the left, who cling to the fiction of functional schools and hospitals.

— Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of imagine

Verb

Sponsored by Hero Esports, the brainchild of Chinese billionaire Dino Ying, the event was the first of its kind outside China and a blueprint for a global sports league envisioned as Monster Trucks for the Terminator era.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2026
All of a sudden, next Sunday’s road game against the Jets (1-0 after a victory at the Tennessee Titans and former New York coach Robert Saleh) feels far more pressure-packed for LaFleur than previously envisioned.

— Michael Silver, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of envision

Verb

Emmys nights one and two saw Widow’s Bay pick up a whopping eight trophies, one short of The Studio’s total of nine last year, and this evening might end with Widow’s Bay grabbing a lot of the same awards The Studio did last year.

— Vulture Staff, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
The bookshelf becomes a collective record of the times, ways of seeing, forms that flourished during particular eras, and also questions that persist across centuries.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of see

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“Envisage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/envisage. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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