Synonyms of envisage

envisage

verb

in-ˈvi-zij 

as in to imagine

to form a mental picture of

I'm trying to envisage you on a surfboard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imagine
• envision
• see
• conceive
• dream
• picture
• visualize
• vision
• fantasize
• feature
• contemplate
• fantasy
• fancy
• conjure (up)
• image
• plan
• conceit
• ideate
• foresee
• daydream
• reflect
• ponder
• invent
• concoct
• relive
• ruminate
• prefigure
• manufacture
• reminisce
• muse
• meditate
• hallucinate
• project
• re-create
• make up
• fabricate
• stargaze

Synonym Chooser

How is the word envisage distinct from other similar verbs?

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

The synonyms conceive and envisage are sometimes interchangeable, but conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

In what contexts can fancy take the place of envisage?

The words fancy and envisage can be used in similar contexts, 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 envisage?

While the synonyms imagine and envisage are close in meaning, imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When could realize be used to replace envisage?

The meanings of realize and envisage largely overlap; however, realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

Where would think be a reasonable alternative to envisage?

Although the words think and envisage have much in common, 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

Recent Examples of envisage

The Premier League’s rules outline the need for this whole process to remain confidential until the independent commission is ready to hand down its judgement, but few, Masters included, had envisaged such a wait. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026

That said, Auriga initially envisaged using kinetic projectiles that would strike drones directly. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026

The plan sets limits on how the river would be operated, and envisages water shortages of up to 3 million acre-feet per year in the three Lower Basin states. — Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026

Global is confident that the show has already been renewed for a second season and Abrams said it was envisaged to return multiple times. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 June 2026

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