envisage

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

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 envisage Perhaps Harari’s cognitive revolution went something like what was envisaged by Harvard professor of human evolutionary biology Joseph Henrich. Madeleine Beekman august 11, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025 The 2023 contract initially envisaged the production of 6,000 Shaheds at Alabuga by September 2025, which Russia completed well ahead of schedule. Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025 If this wasn’t the summer as Newcastle envisaged it, the same can be said for Slovenia’s finest. Phil Hay, New York Times, 29 July 2025 This effectively wiped out the £5 billion of savings initially envisaged as a result of the reforms — raising the prospect of further tax rises in the fall. Chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for envisage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for envisage
Verb
  • As explained in the behind-the-scenes dive, the BAFTA Award-winning composer imagined the sound in images, sampled MRI sounds, and composed the actual score for a trap beat.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Enthralling both fellow captives and the Bey of Algiers, Cervantes, his spirit unbroken, also imagines a daring escape plan.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The audience was shocked – which is just what Gaga envisioned.
    Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • However, the Ulrich plan largely predicted it right, envisioning a district that would absorb all of California’s northern state line with Oregon, stretching to Nevada.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Taylor also drew false-start and holding penalties in the first half, and teammate Travis Kelce had seen enough during the Chiefs’ season-opening game Friday against the Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
  • However, only select regions will get to see the eclipse, including New Zealand, southern Australia, parts of the Pacific and Atlantic, Asia, Africa, and Antarctica.
    Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Envisage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/envisage. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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