realize

verb

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re·al·ize | \ ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz

realized; realizing

Definition of realize

transitive verb

1a : 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

2a : 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

Other Words from realize Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing realize Learn More About realize

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web With Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island performing very well at the Japanese box office, not many realize that the movie’s titular island is in fact a real place. — Ollie Barder, Forbes, 7 June 2022 Finally, realize that towels are an investment, so take care of them. — Laura Daily, Washington Post, 7 June 2022 As of right now, fans realize Vecna's existence is the biggest risk for the kids surviving at the moment. — Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 4 June 2022 But as the colony of humans on the remote planet is on the verge of being torn apart by religious differences, the androids realize the challenge and danger of attempting to control humans' beliefs. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 3 June 2022 As in Harry Potter, as in Star Wars—as in so many journeys of this sort—so too in Stranger Things does our hero realize how to defeat evil: not using one’s powers out of fear or anger, but out of love. — Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 29 May 2022 Aside from advocating for Black women during pregnancy to prevent unfortunate situations like this, many don’t realize that birthing doulas can also be of assistance for moms postpartum. — Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 26 May 2022 Some people realize that days filled with leisure time aren’t ideal, after all. — Shlomo Benartzi, WSJ, 20 May 2022 At what point did each of you realize that the whole was greater than the sum of its parts? — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2022 See More

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.

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Dictionary Entries Near realize

realization and liquidation account

realize

reallege

Statistics for realize

Last Updated

9 Jun 2022

Cite this Entry

“Realize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realize. Accessed 29 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for realize

realize

verb

re·al·ize | \ ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz

realized; realizing

Kids Definition of realize

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?

realize

transitive verb

re·al·ize | \ ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz

realized; realizing

Legal Definition of realize

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