realize

verb re·al·ize \ ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz \

Definition of realize

realized; realizing

transitive verb

1 a :to bring into concrete existence :accomplish

finally realized her goal

b :to cause to seem real :make appear real

a book in which the characters are carefully realized

2 a :to convert into actual money

realized assets

b :to bring or get by sale, investment, or effort :gain

realized a large profit

3 :to conceive vividly as real :be fully aware of

did not realize the risk she was taking

—

realizable

play \ˌrē-ə-ˈlī-zə-bəl\ adjective

—

realizer

noun

See realize defined for English-language learners

See realize defined for kids

Examples of realize in a Sentence

They did not realize the risk that was involved.
He finally realized the scope of the problem.
She realizes how much things have changed.
Do you realize how difficult that stunt is?
You just have to realize that you can't always get what you want.
She slowly realized what he was trying to say.
He realized a lifelong dream by winning an Olympic medal.
He finally realized his ambition to start his own business.

Recent Examples of realize from the Web

AMIT enables Israelʼs youth to realize their potential and strengthens Israeli society by educating and nurturing children from diverse backgrounds within a framework of academic excellence, religious values and Zionist ideals.

— randall p. lieberman, Jewish Journal, "Boynton Judaica artist to lead workshop for Israeli charity," 30 Aug. 2017
Ellison hits at this in her profile: During those heady weeks after the election, Ivanka realized that her previous life—

— sarah jones, New Republic, "Poor Jared and Ivanka.," 28 Aug. 2017
Ortiz said children can feel guilt and apprehension when their parents are in court, and realize their world could change.

— jim newton, Lake County News-Sun, "Kids Korner marks 50,000th child served at Lake County Circuit Court," 25 Aug. 2017
In fact, no inventor realized a profit using the company’s services, sold a meaningful number of units or enter into a significant licensing agreement with a third party to do so, the order said.

— ron hurtibise, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Patent company's assets to remain frozen; trial set for Oct. 2018," 25 Aug. 2017
The main thing is for voters to realize that no taxpayer dollars are involved, since airport revenues come from passengers and other airport users.

— lynn horsley, kansascity, "Announcement expected Aug. 31 on chosen proposal for KCI," 23 Aug. 2017
But, dangerous blowhard or not, Lloyd and Co. have apparently realized having Trump in the White House presents an opportunity that is too lucrative to ignore: the chance to get rid of the Volcker Rule.

— bess levin, The Hive, "Lloyd Blankfein May Have a Use for Trump, After All," 23 Aug. 2017
The Harvard researchers realized these crystals could be used as a sort of artificial photosynthesis.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Cyborg Bacteria Could Turn CO2 Into Fuel," 22 Aug. 2017
Do any of the protestors realize that a chief tenet of early progressivism was eugenics, the politically correct, liberal orthodoxy of its time?

— victor davis hanson, National Review, "Our War against Memory," 22 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'realize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of realize

French réaliser, from Middle French realiser, from real real

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1611

See Words from the same year

realize Synonyms

Synonyms

ascertain, catch on (to), find out, get on (to), hear, learn, discover, see, wise (up)

Antonyms

forfeit, lose

Related Words

hit (on or upon), tumble (to); descry, detect, encounter, espy, see, spot; calculate, dope (out), figure out, find, puzzle (out); discern, mind, note, observe, perceive; divine

Near Antonyms

miss, overlook; disregard, ignore; forget, unlearn; blanket, blot out, cloak, conceal, cover, curtain, enshroud, hide, mask, occult, screen, shroud, veil

Synonym Discussion of realize

think, conceive, imagine, fancy, realize, envisage, envision mean to form an idea of. 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

conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

- conceived of a new marketing approach

imagine stresses a visualization.

- imagine you're at the beach

fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

- fancied himself a super athlete

realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

- realized the enormity of the task ahead

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

REALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

realize

verb

Definition of realize for English Language Learners

: to understand or become aware of (something)
: to cause (something) to become real
: to achieve (something, such as a goal, dream, etc.)

REALIZE Defined for Kids

realize

verb re·al·ize \ ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz \

Definition of realize for Students

realized; realizing

1 :to be aware of :understand

Do they realize the danger?

2 :to bring into being :accomplish

The war looked like my chance to realize my old dream of flying.
—Richard Peck, A Long Way from Chicago

3 :to get as a result of effort :gain

Will your business realize a profit?

Law Dictionary

realize

transitive verb re·al·ize \ ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz \

legal Definition of realize

realized; realizing

1 :to convert into money

2 :to obtain or incur (as a gain or loss) especially as the result of a sale, exchange, or other disposition of an asset

realized a loss when the house was sold

— compare recognize

—

realization

play \ˌrē-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

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Examples of realize in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of realize

realize Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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REALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

realize

Definition of realize for English Language Learners

REALIZE Defined for Kids

realize

Definition of realize for Students

Law Dictionary

realize

legal Definition of realize

realization

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