Synonym Chooser

How is the word imagine distinct from other similar verbs?

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

imagine you're at the beach

When is it sensible to use conceive instead of imagine?

While the synonyms conceive and imagine are close in meaning, 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 imagine?

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 imagine?

The words fancy and imagine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

When is realize a more appropriate choice than imagine?

The meanings of realize and imagine 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 imagine?

The words think and imagine can be used in similar contexts, but 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 imagine In an exclusive clip from the film (below), the jury tries to retrace Sophie’s steps, and imagine her state of mind, on the night she was murdered. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025 Often hailed as the definitive screen version, this series perfectly captured the turning point in Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s romance and brought to life the very estate many imagined from the novel’s descriptions. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 June 2025 Compared with the other dragons in the original, which character designer Nico Marlet imagined with comically lopsided proportions — bulgy eyes, oversize heads, ungainly fangs — Toothless was an elegant mix of feline and canine traits, mapped onto a sleek black reptilian body. Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 June 2025 Chula Vista’s long and often humbling effort to get a top university to establish a major presence in South County might become a reality on a scale far larger than many people imagined. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for imagine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imagine
Verb
  • For some students, in place of bachelor’s and master’s programs, Reece envisions a kind of AI vocational school that teaches students how to apply AI to their specific career interests.
    Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
  • The seminars serve as a way to help students envision themselves as being successful and create more self-confidence.
    Irit Skulnik, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Ya’ll in ya’ll feelings, ya’ll think ya’ll know everything.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 25 June 2025
  • Every post should include one moment that makes someone stop scrolling and think about their situation differently, ideally in the hook.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Instead of guessing or fabricating, the AI pulls directly from the current internal grievance protocol.
    Sagar Gupta, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • By creating a wider variety of scoring opportunities than any other NWSL clubs, the Wave keep both opponents and fans guessing as to what their tactics will be.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • And club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen is first on the list of those the club would like to see leave before the end of the transfer window.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • Lorde keeps it casual in New York as she is seen outside of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on June 24.
    Grace Harrington, People.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Emerging markets like the Middle East offer high growth and less competition, Zhu believes.
    Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • There was a lot more boredom involved in their day-to-day work than we were led to believe as kids, more sitting around and more court dates and more paperwork, the sheer bureaucracy of the whole thing.
    Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Some may assume that losing teeth is just part of growing older.
    Reem Amro, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025
  • This is assuming that the plants in question are ones that need full sun.
    Dr. Matthew Lisy, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Khloé Kardashian and Kim Kardashian pose as Kris Jenner (not pictured) snaps a photo of them on a taxi boat in Venice on June 26.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 29 June 2025
  • This is more than a grower’s guide, however, as each of the 50 floriferous species included is brilliantly pictured on the front of its card in the deck.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • There’s also the unique geopolitical role of Qatar to consider.
    Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Some consider Olean to be in the upper most region of Appalachia, a Rustbelt stereotype that— since 1974, the year of the shooting, has seen its population dwindle from 18,600 to 14,000.
    Sally Ventura June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Imagine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imagine. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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