Synonym Chooser

How is the word think distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of think are conceive, envisage, envision, fancy, imagine, and realize. While all these words 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

When is it sensible to use conceive instead of think?

Although the words conceive and think have much in common, 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 think?

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 is fancy a more appropriate choice than think?

The synonyms fancy and think are sometimes interchangeable, 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 think?

The words imagine and think can be used in similar contexts, but imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When can realize be used instead of think?

In some situations, the words realize and think are roughly equivalent. However, realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

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 think Gillibert thinks the potential tariff will hurt arthouse films more than major studio tentpoles. Alex Ritman, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025 But Wells thinks that may be changing. Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025 In 2021, Tony Ramos, who died last year, and Malcolm Swenson visited the site where Swenson thought the Sherwood pink might be. Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025 Some thought Saleh was simply playing mind games, hoping to affect the Jaguars’ operation. Mike Sando, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • Nearly every poll taken during the past six months has shown that a significant majority of Democrats believe that the United States should stop providing economic and military support for Israel.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Experts believe China’s role in tackling climate change is decisive.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Leading up to the release of Showgirl, Swift kept fans guessing about the project through a number of methods.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Despite advances in technology, some people still believe myths about guessing the baby’s gender during pregnancy.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Economist Pierre Azoulay and colleagues recently imagined an alternative history where NIH was 40% smaller and dispersed less money – a budget akin to current federal proposals.
    Ryan Summers, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
  • If people’s lives become intertwined after just a few months, imagine after 19 years together.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Front Office Sports reported Friday that Stars ownership is considering a site in Plano, Texas, approximately 20 miles from Dallas.
    Rob Rossi, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, this spice is considered to have antiseptic and digestive benefits.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Wentland attended both of Alverno’s information sessions about the sale but left feeling her concerns weren’t addressed.
    Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • There’s not many teams that can put four guys that don’t start into the game [on the offensive line] and feel confident about going and winning a game, especially on the road.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on think

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