realize

verb

re·​al·​ize ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce realize (audio)
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 adjective
realizer noun
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
How long before John Lynch completes his due diligence and realizes the 49ers need to trade for a defensive end who can generate pressure and sack the QB? Matt Barrows, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 While menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and irregular periods get plenty of attention, hair thinning in menopause is more common than many people realize—and the hormones behind menopause are the same ones that impact hair growth. Korin Miller, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2025 The family soon realizes that the ghosts of the previous tenants (and their victims) live on in the house, while next-door neighbor Constance Langdon (Jessica Lange in an Emmy-winning performance) has an agenda of her own. James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025 The series was created by Steven Knight and Guinness heir Ivana Lowell after the latter realized how impactful her family was after being inspired by Downton Abbey. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for realize

Word History

Etymology

French réaliser, from Middle French realiser, from real real

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of realize was circa 1611

Cite this Entry

“Realize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realize. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

realize

verb
re·​al·​ize ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce realize (audio)
ˈri-ə-
realized; realizing
1
: to bring into being : accomplish
realize a lifelong ambition
2
: to get by sale or effort : gain
realize a profit
3
: to be aware of
realized their danger
realizable adjective
realization
ˌrē-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən
ˌri-ə-
noun

Legal Definition

realize

transitive verb
re·​al·​ize ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce realize (audio)
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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on realize

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