conceive

Synonym Chooser

How is the word conceive distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of conceive are envisage, envision, fancy, imagine, realize, and think. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," 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 conceive?

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 could fancy be used to replace conceive?

Although the words fancy and conceive have much in common, fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

In what contexts can imagine take the place of conceive?

While in some cases nearly identical to conceive, imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When would realize be a good substitute for conceive?

The synonyms realize and conceive are sometimes interchangeable, but realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

When can think be used instead of conceive?

In some situations, the words think and conceive are roughly equivalent. However, 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

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 conceive The platform was conceived with a clear vision: to provide consumers a tight edit of South Asian brands that create unique skincare, body care, and hair care products. Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 The writers conceived several episodes ahead of production, which shifted from Paris to New York and back to Paris last year. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025 Showcased at the installation were the new furniture pieces conceived by the design duo for Loro Piana Interiors that included the Quarona poufs and coffee tables, made with curved wooden bands and padded seats in Ladakh cashmere and wool and alpaca. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025 Children, conceived through mass inseminations every December 24th, are collectively raised in a Center, and are known as Kodomo-chan. Elif Batuman, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conceive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceive
Verb
  • The online reaction to the video is beyond anything Joyce imagined, as social media users can't get enough of Gary's antics.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
  • It was imagined with a focus on wellness for anyone at any age and any income level.
    Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And also, just understanding [Annie and Smoke’s] love, the depth of their love.
    Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2025
  • And of course, there’s the need to understand and report on any unexpected and game-changing social media post from the White House.
    Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The workshop acknowledges that people usually think of consent and boundaries in extreme terms.
    William Jones, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Some say this is a sign of Andor continuing to tackle tough issues the rest of Star Wars doesn’t, and others think that shouldn’t be a topic touched on in Star Wars at all, ever.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Beyond horse racing, Calderone envisions FreeRacehorse.com as a solution to one of the most significant challenges facing streaming services and broadcast TV — extending the relationship with viewers beyond the big screen to smaller screens for continuous engagement.
    William Jones, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Joana Galego originally envisioned Egg Shells (2025) as a larger canvas and the visual narrative revealed itself at five-feet-wide and just over four-feet tall.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Martha Stewart previously slammed former friend Ina Garten The lifestyle maven is known to cook up beef with fellow lifestyle brand competitors, including taking aim at former friend Ina Garten in September.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Unfortunately, Seong-je knows no loyalty, and agrees to beat up Si-eun for Baek-jin on the morning of the fight.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Musk has never denied his hard-charging style and believes that his work building electric cars and rockets is crucial for the health of the planet and the continuation of the human species, and that his DOGE work responds to threats of U.S. bankruptcy.
    Jonathan Landay, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • And if White Houses have believed this too, that the people that are being covered do not choose who covers them.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Healthcare, industrials, and technology sectors also saw better earnings growth rates last week.
    Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • When Jamey Ice, a musician and entrepreneur who remodels century-old homes, received a text from a California rabbi who came to town to see Ice’s house on Sixth Avenue.
    Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Coming back, suddenly, as a stadium act is hard to comprehend for the Ragweed frontman.
    Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Utilize process intelligence to bridge the gap between employees and machine workflows, leveraging AI to capture and comprehend data.
    Adam Bujak, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceive. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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