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 That statement was provided by Ian Wallace, who conceived of the exhibition. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 May 2025 The show was conceived by the Duffer Brothers, as well as Jack Thorne and Trefry, and serves as a prequel to the beloved TV series. Raven Brunner, People.com, 28 May 2025 Their spoof of Donald Trump and Joe Biden bickering about who was the better golfer was conceived and recorded while the CNN presidential debate was still ongoing, and released immediately afterward. Don Riddell, CNN Money, 27 May 2025 Even so, Panasonic makes some missteps with autofocus: The subject tracking system is poorly conceived, and focus accuracy isn't on the same level as other brands. PC Magazine, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for conceive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conceive
Verb
  • Olivia Jan, who worked on the Grassland Opera fragrance imagined the scent of the herbaceous orbexilum stipulatum flower.
    Nicole Mowbray, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
  • Finally, imagine tucking your anxiety into a cozy box and carrying it gently in a small bag slung over your shoulder, wrote Beck.
    Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • The Times spoke to both sides, as well as multiple experts to better understand the high-stakes litigation, which faces obstacles but could shake up California’s home insurance industry.
    Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
  • Many local leaders have learned the value of using data to understand where socially vulnerable residents face high disaster risks.
    Ivis García, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Designing and planning your garden requires thinking about when and what to grow.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
  • These studies were also really an investigation of color, thinking of the way graphic scores can work and trying to convey a mood or tone through color theory.
    Caitlin Woolsey, Artforum, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • But the Panthers are bullish on his abilities and envision him thriving as a favorite target for Young for years to come.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 2 June 2025
  • With its reusable Falcon launch system and Starlink satellite network, SpaceX has the technological and logistical capabilities to deploy and maintain the hundreds of satellites envisioned in the program’s first phase.
    Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Forget iOS 19: Apple To Launch iPhone 17 With Radically Different Software, Report Says Software in the iPhone knows your location and is able to spot the satellites passing overhead to guide you where to point.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • They are also known as direct-to-participant trials or virtual studies.1 DCTs may offer several benefits, including convenience for participants.
    Carrie Madormo, Health, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • The teen is believed to be from the Upper East Side, WABC Eyewitness News reported.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 31 May 2025
  • PwC’s 2023 Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey found that 39% of workers believe their job will be obsolete within five years, yet only 26% say their employer is supporting them to acquire new skills.
    Sol Rashidi, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Todd and Julie did see a minor court victory in 2019 when the Georgia Department of Revenue cleared the couple of a $2 million state tax evasion charge stemming from a two-year investigation of nearly eight years of returns beginning in 2008.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025
  • Patchy Mix Betting Odds and Line Movement With Mix being somewhat of an unknown to many fight fans who spend most of their time focusing on the UFC, the opening odds for this contest saw Mix and Bautista both listed at -110.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • But way more hustlers, con artists and grifters than any other generation of human beings on Earth has ever had to comprehend before, let alone fend off.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
  • Contrary to popular narratives about AI dominance, the primary risk during this phase is not autonomous AI threats but rather the possibility of humans losing direct operational control or ability to observe, comprehend and timely intervene into the flows executed by agents.
    Egor Pushkin, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conceive. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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