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 When thinking about Donald Trump’s policies over his first six months in office, immigration and tariffs are the headliners. Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2025 The students would read the plans for the day, write a positive affirmation, think and then had time to discuss with each other for three minutes before class began. Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2025 When thinking about Sterling Sharpe, one of the first people that comes to LeRoy Butler’s mind is the legendary bodybuilder Lee Haney. Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 31 July 2025 Dougal is all brawn, and likes to take action before thinking. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for think
Recent Examples of Synonyms for think
Verb
  • Public records date the property to 1900, but it is believed to have been originally constructed in the 1840s, offering a rare glimpse into the city’s early residential fabric, writes Brendel Clark.
    Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Farris believes Milwaukee's police pursuit policy is too loose.
    Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Bot gets 1 point for guessing in three and 1 for beating me.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • While watching, fans of the OG series will be unable not to guess which character is most like their favorite original characters.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • If a highly fit teenage boy can die of heat stroke on a hot day, imagine the degree of challenge to older folks who typically are much less fit.
    Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The play imagines what would happen if President Abraham Lincoln's assassination wasn't exactly a bad thing for his insufferable wife.
    Nigel Smith, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Because its presence still needs to be confirmed with more observations, for now it's considered just a candidate planet.
    Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Intersex people have variations in chromosomes, hormone levels or anatomy that differ from what’s considered typical for male and female bodies.
    Lisa Song, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • For those that still don’t feel quite ready to dive into a dinner, or may not live in an area with such an abundance of Shabbat clubs to join, there are still plenty of other ways to get a taste of the culture and religion.
    Sophie Liza Cannon, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • So the design team, led by Kristin Byrd of Gensler, zeroed in on making the public spaces look and feel more intimate and more soothing on a site that's traditionally soaking up the summer sun and its heat.
    Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Think.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/think. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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