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

Arteta relaxed the load from some of his main players but the drip-feed method in which they were introduced perhaps provides a glance into what Arteta envisages as the future of squad rotation. —Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025

This was never going to be a quick fix, and while United have clearly rigged their mast in a new direction, early waters have been choppier than anyone envisaged. —Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025

Few envisaged him playing such a little part at Arsenal this season, but how much has Sterling simply dropped off, and how much has Arteta’s failure to give him an early run of games contributed to the lack of sharpness? —Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025

The force being envisaged by France and Britain would aim to reassure Ukraine and deter another large-scale Russian offensive after any ceasefire, the official said. —arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025

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