Synonym Chooser

How is the word realize distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of realize are conceive, envisage, envision, fancy, imagine, and think. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

When might conceive be a better fit than realize?

While the synonyms conceive and realize 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 are the words envisage and envision related as synonyms of realize?

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

Where would fancy be a reasonable alternative to realize?

The words fancy and realize 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 can imagine be used instead of realize?

The words imagine and realize can be used in similar contexts, but imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When would think be a good substitute for realize?

The synonyms think and realize are sometimes interchangeable, 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 realize Go sit at a restaurant by myself and realize that, man, that's pretty enjoyable to do. Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025 Much of their wealth is rarely taxed because gains on stocks and assets are rarely realized or have been inherited tax-free. Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025 However, Bloom quickly realized that money didn’t buy happiness. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025 When the facility opened the following morning, a security guard came upon a smashed display case and realized the coins had been stolen, French media outlets reported. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for realize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for realize
Verb
  • Authorities then discovered De Silva suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Bishop discovered that former Rangers defender Connor Goldson, now playing in Cyprus, had a similar problem earlier in his career.
    Tom Burrows, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In 2025, Ohtani is likely to earn another MVP award, adding to his ever-expanding trophy cabinet.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • With an annual salary of $67,675, new Arkansas State Police recruits earn more than police recruits in Fayetteville, Little Rock and Rogers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The suppression of Black voters well into the twentieth century was only ended (for the most part) with the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA), after a long and dangerous fight that saw multiple incidents of deadly violence against those advocating for equal access to the ballot.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 25 Oct. 2025
  • But the biggest surprise was seeing how ineffective Liverpool’s forwards were.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Microsoft started reaping the benefits of its investment Tuesday as OpenAI restructured to give Microsoft a 27% stake in the company, worth about $135 billion.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The future of vehicles is a world where car buyers can purchase a vehicle once and reap the benefits of its intuitive design throughout its lifecycle, enjoying new features and upgrades without having to pay an additional cost.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For decades, conservation organizations have been working to restore oyster populations in the bay, accruing data along the way to learn from successes and failures.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Therapy dogs with the nonprofit also help children learn to read and assist in clinical therapy settings.
    Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The entirety of Evers' plan hinges on the closure of Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake, which have been under a federal compliance plan since 2017, after major issues gained the attention of federal investigators.
    Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • What happens when Hoosiers gain an hour for the daylight saving time switch?
    Jenny Porter Tilley, IndyStar, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When Springer got hurt, there was some cheering heard by the Dodger fans in the crowd, who booed him loudly at the start of every at-bat.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Aside from buying beans, my go-to is a cortado with almond milk and — hear me out — quarter-sweet simple syrup.
    Tamia Boyd, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Here are luckiest numbers, places to play Did anyone win Powerball last night, October 25, 2025?
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 26 Oct. 2025
  • By sticking with judo, Harrison won gold at the 2012 Olympics and again at the 2016 Olympics.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Realize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/realize. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on realize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!