Synonym Chooser

How is the word imagine distinct from other similar verbs?

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

imagine you're at the beach

When is it sensible to use conceive instead of imagine?

While the synonyms conceive and imagine are close in meaning, 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 imagine?

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 could fancy be used to replace imagine?

The words fancy and imagine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

When is realize a more appropriate choice than imagine?

The meanings of realize and imagine 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 imagine?

The words think and imagine can be used in similar contexts, but 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 imagine Our nation has morphed far beyond the republic that the founders initially imagined. Joanna Allhands, AZCentral.com, 4 July 2025 That The Wall imagines the possibility of femme freedom through speculative fiction is all the more remarkable when compared to what could be read as its prequel, a book so grim and so suffocating and that feels so disturbingly real. Book Marks july 3, Literary Hub, 3 July 2025 There’s turf, mint, lime, and a bit of moss, so imagine rolling off the golf course to get a refreshing cocktail. Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 3 July 2025 Somehow, he’s been better quicker than anyone could have imagined. Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for imagine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imagine
Verb
  • ADUs continue to spark council debate However, Housing Element envisions more extra housing units, known as accessory dwelling units, on single-family home sites.
    Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025
  • Then-County Commissioner Tom Moser envisioned designating point people at each camp who would monitor a website and alert camp counselors and attendees if evacuation was needed.
    Kenny Jacoby, USA Today, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Founding member of the pop rock band OneRepublic and political outsider Tim Myers thinks so.
    William Melhado July 7, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2025
  • Huge upset as Las Vegas, who many thought would go undefeated this weekend, lose their opener 3-1.
    Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Trying to differentiate the bad from the good, guessing who’s lying or telling the truth, and attempting to solve a true crime thriller are all mental puzzles that are endlessly frustrating yet completely entertaining.
    Paulina Jayne Isaac, Glamour, 5 July 2025
  • Still, Geragos guessed both of those numbers were far off base.
    Tracy Wright , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Chicago O’Hare, one of the world’s busiest airports, saw nearly 114,000 passengers, also a record.
    Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • According to statements from camp officials and survivors, Eastland was last seen leading a group of girls from a cabin trying to get them to safety.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the crash, police said.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2025
  • With the adoption of AI for more of the routine work of accounting, Auden believes accountants must develop their communication skills to effectively interpret the data for the business.
    Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act – assuming the version Senate Republicans passed on Tuesday becomes law–would cut the legs out from under the renewable energy industry.
    Christopher Helman, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has assumed oversight of Tesla Inc.’s sales in Europe and the U.S. following the departure of longtime deputy Omead Afshar, people familiar with the matter said.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The Arsenal manager mentioned the midfielder could go on the three-match tour to the Far East, and he has been pictured training with the first team this week.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • President Donald Trump, right, with then-Congressman Sean Duffy, are pictured in the Cabinet Room of the White House on January 24, 2019.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • The county had considered a flood warning system on the river similar to a tornado warning siren about six or seven years ago, but Kelly said the idea never got off the ground and the cost would have been an issue.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 July 2025
  • If your apartment balcony, backyard patio, front porch, or garden corner could use a little love, consider adding a bistro set to your outdoor space.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Imagine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imagine. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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